Melanie Zaelich shares her journey starting from a career in advertising to becoming a successful interior designer. She discusses her business model focused on consultations, the importance of work-life balance, and how she caters to her target demographic. Melanie emphasizes the simplicity of her consultation services and the personal motivation behind her career shift, highlighting the fulfillment she finds in helping clients love their homes.

Melanie Zaelich is an award-winning interior designer and the only consult-based, à la carte business model in Minneapolis, MN. Known for her down-to-earth approach, creativity, and ability to make design fun and accessible, Melanie has enriched over 2,000 homes since founding Happy Place Interiors in 2016. Her accolades include regional and national design awards, such as the "Top 10 Redesigner of the Year" and "Minnesota's Best" Interior Design Firm.

***

📲CONNECT with Melanie:

Website: https://www.happyplaceinteriors.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy.place.interiors/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyplaceinteriorsmn

Melanie’s Course: "The Designer's Blueprint: Mastering A Consult-Driven Interior Design Business"

Discount Code Just For You: HELLYES10

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Julianne Hendrickson returns to discuss her significant growth in the interior design industry and the launch of her mentoring group for aspiring designers. She shares insights on the importance of collaboration, community building, and the value of mentorship in fostering professional development. Julianne also outlines her future goals for expanding her mentoring efforts online and emphasizes the importance of being authentic in business. The discussion highlights the journey of growth, the challenges faced, and the strategies that have led to her success.

Julianne Hendrickson is the principal owner of Hendrickson Interiors. Julianne lives in Tampa, FL with her two children and husband. She loves to travel, read, nap, and have a spa day.

***

📲CONNECT with Julianne:

Website: https://www.hendricksoninteriors.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hendricksoninteriors

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

X: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Darla and Danielle Hayden dive into one of the most important (and tricky) parts of running a business: paying yourself. They discuss the challenges business owners face when it comes to managing money, shifting their mindset around finances, and figuring out how to move money from the business to their personal accounts. They also break down IRS rules (don’t be scared!) and explain why understanding your financial health is a game-changer. From S-Corps and LLCs to consistent paychecks and smart investments, stay tuned for tips on navigating your worth, keeping your business growing, and handling the ups and downs of entrepreneurship like a pro.

Danielle Hayden is the Co-Founder and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc. a bookkeeping and accounting firm that is on a mission to coach six figure (+ beyond) female entrepreneurs so they can better understand their numbers through bookkeeping, financial analysis, and support so they can grow profitable, sustainable and enjoyable businesses.

***

📲CONNECT with Danielle:

Website: Kickstart Accounting, Inc.

Instagram: @kickstartaccounting

LinkedIn: Danielle Hayden

Podcast: Business by the Books

Free Gift: Financial Success Starter Kit

📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: @thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy: Learn More

Free Webinar: The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram

"Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You" by John Warrillow

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social: Website: Wingnut Social Facebook: @WingnutSocial X: @wingnutsocial Instagram: @wingnutsocial Wingnut Webinars: Join Here

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast: Apple Podcasts: Listen Here Google Podcasts: Listen Here YouTube: Watch Here

Calling all Wingnuts! To kick off the new year, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year.

If you’re a small business owner offering specialized services, you may be wondering how to price your services. How do you know if you’re charging too much? Well, according to today’s guest, Laura Thornton, you most likely aren’t charging enough. Stay tuned for lots of tips on flat rate vs. hourly pricing, how much work you should actually be billing for, and how to calculate your rates.

With over 27 years of experience, Laura Thornton is a seasoned interior designer and the Founder and Creative Director of Thornton Design, established in 1999. Laura has perfected the art of running a profitable design business and is passionate about sharing her expertise through her comprehensive online course. She teaches designers how to transition from pricing uncertainty to confidently valuing their expertise, optimizing profits, and building client trust with precise pricing strategies.

***

📲CONNECT with Laura:

Profit Academy Website: https://theprofitacademyforinteriordesigners.mykajabi.com

Business of Beautiful Spaces Website: https://thebusinessofbeautifulspaces.com

Design Work: https://www.laurathorntondesign.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThorntonDesign

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thorntondesign/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/laurathornton74/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thorntondesign

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

“Aesthetic Intelligence: How to Boost It and Use It in Business and Beyond” by Pauline Brown

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year.

***

In this episode, Darla is joined by Katie McDonald to discuss the importance of self-care for business owners. Katie shares her personal journey from corporate burnout to wellness advocate and coach. The conversation delves into how self-neglect can impact both personal wellbeing and business success. Darla and Katie also explore actionable self-care strategies and the challenges high achievers face in balancing their drive with the need for self-compassion.

Decades ago, the demands of Katie McDonald’s corporate career occupied her every waking moment. She was left feeling depleted and depressed—suffering from spiraling mental and physical health crises that threatened her life. Left with no choice but to transform her body-mind relationship, Katie abandoned her corporate job and healed herself. Fully recovered from years of self-neglect, Katie now works with high achievers who are taking care of business at the expense of taking care of themselves.

***

📲CONNECT with Katie:

Website: https://bnourished.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bnourished/

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

"The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year.

***

Today’s guest, Liz Potarazu, tells us about her journey to creating an almost million-dollar interior design business in just 3 years. Liz also shares her health and wellness routine that keeps her in tip top shape to run her business. Stay tuned!

Liz Potarazu is the CEO and Principal Designer of LP & Co, a residential and commercial office interior design firm. Liz started her career in NYC in B2B sales before earning an MBA in San Francisco and pivoting into corporate marketing. Interior Design is a second career for Liz, one filled with passion, purpose. She resides in Potomac, Maryland, right outside of Washington, D.C. with her husband and three young children.

***

📲CONNECT with Liz:

Website: https://www.lpandcodesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lpandcodesign/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4oEBg5pzm0bN_oOwassV2w

📲CONNECT with Darla: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

The Standard: https://interiordesignstandard.com

DESIGN FOR CONSTRUCTION 101: https://luannnigara.com/design-for-construction-101/

Guide to Construction Management: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers

Cheryl Kees Clendenon: https://www.indetailinteriors.com Mel Robbins: https://www.melrobbins.com

Andrew Huberman: https://www.hubermanlab.com

"Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing" by Caroline Myss

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube

Calling all Wingnuts! This holiday season, we’re revisiting key episodes that will help you get your business organized and ready for a strong start to 2025. Tune in for expert tips on building a solid foundation, streamlining your systems, and other ways to set yourself up for success in the new year.

***

Are you giving away all the financial keys to your interior design kingdom to just one person? Do you have a bookkeeper, a CFO, or an accountant, but not all three? Today’s guest, Kathy Svetina, tells us why that might not be the best idea, plus tons of other helpful info. Stay tuned!

Kathy Svetina helps small businesses with $3M+in annual revenue build financially healthy and sustainable businesses. She is the founder of NewCastle Finance, a company offering Fractional CFO services to growing small businesses and the host of the Help, My Business Is Growing Podcast. For nearly 14 years, she did senior-level financial planning and analysis for Fortune 500 companies. Now she teaches small businesses how big companies use financial information to drive their business forward.

***

📲CONNECT with Kathy:

Website: https://www.newcastlefinance.us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksvetina/

Podcast: https://helpmybusinessisgrowing.buzzsprout.com/

📲CONNECT with Darla:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedarlapowell

📚Resources & People Mentioned:

Wingnut Academy is LIVE: https://wingnutsocial.com/wingnut-academy/

"The 6 Keys to Success on Instagram" (Free Webinar): https://wingnutsocial.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-webinar-the-6-keys-to-success-on-instagram-9971

"The World of Yesterday" by Stefan Zweig

🏠FOLLOW Wingnut Social:

Website: http://www.wingnutsocial.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WingnutSocial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingnutsocial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingnutsocial/

Wingnut Webinars: https://wingnutsocial.com/webinar

🎧SUBSCRIBE to The Wingnut Social Podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RJzmtK

Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/designedongooglepodcasts

TuneIn: https://bit.ly/designedontunein

YouTube: https://bit.ly/designedonyoutube