Only Girl On The Jobsite

Understanding the contract is one of the most critical steps in any construction project.

As designers, we have a superpower that makes us the most important person for your client to review the contracts and understand the numbers that are being included.

So today I want to cover why you need to see the contract as soon as you are brought onto a team that has already been formed, how early contract involvement leads to project success as well as exercises you can do(whether you are new or seasoned) to help you better understand budgeting for contracts.

Find the full shownotes at:https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/designers-superpower-contracts-budgets

Many designers have been asking me what types of materials they need to supply to the contractor for the projects they’re working on. 

Today I break down terms between a specification book and a project binder and when and how you should be using them, and also the level of detail you should be including so that you are not over-delivering when you’re not being paid to do that service. 

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/project-specifications 

If you missed Episode 134, be sure to go back and listen to that episode BEFORE listening to today’s episode. Last week I talked about practicing what I preach and why I said “no” to two recent projects that were offered my way. In today’s episode, I want to go over what happened afterward, how I would have reacted a couple of years ago, why I am doing this to keep myself laser-focused, and what I am doing behind the scenes to move in the direction of my goals.

Today’s episode is to really get you to look at your own businesses. And I wanted you to hear that I am doing this as well. I wanted you to see that if I am peeling back the onion layers in the business and taking a look inside, and deciding what to keep and what not to keep, you will also go and do this in your own business and see the changes that can be put in place to change the trajectory of your next year. 

If you’re unsure about what projects you should be taking on, then today’s episode is for you!

I am a big proponent of ONLY taking on projects that are a good fit for you and your firm at the time that a potential client reaches out to you, but how do you determine that? 

I always want to practice what I preach, so today, I am sharing with you two recent examples of this that I recently went through.

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/turned-down-jobs 

Here we are mid-summer - if any of you are like me, you’re finally starting to relax and take a moment for yourself. What that also means is you may be putting things off.

So today, I am so excited to welcome my friend Desi Creswell back to the podcast. This is her third time sharing her expertise with fellow interior designers, and it is because of an ah-ha moment I had while listening to Desi’s podcast The Interior Design CEO, that inspired me to invite her back on. She did an entire episode called The Later Habit which you can find here: https://www.desicreswell.com/podcast/the-later-habit I knew everyone else would relate to this Later Habit that we all tend to slide into, especially when it’s summer months, and schedules are wonky, and we are out of sorts. 

Desi is a master certified Life and Business Coach who helps Interior Designers build thriving businesses without the stress adn overwhelm. She uses a blend of mindset, actionable strategies, and industry specific expertise. Desi supports clients with topics such as time management, leadership, delegation, systems, and goal setting. And the best part about it is she is one of us. She is a trained interior designer who left practicing in order to dive in and support designers even more!

In today's episode, we talk about what the later habit is, and how we can avoid it, the importance of time management, where to start, how things like getting over perfectionism and building confidence as a CEO can help you take back your time!

You can find out more about Desi by visiting her Website at: www.desicreswell.com

Grab her Interior Designers Get it Done Daily Planner at:

www.desicreswell.com/planner

Listen to her new Podcast: The Interior Design Business CEO at:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-interior-design-business-ceo/id1652747762

Find the full show notes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/time-management-desi-creswell 

It’s officially mid-summer! How are you feeling about your pipeline of projects starting in the fall? If you’re starting to panic, this episode is for you!

We all think we will have extra time on our hands during the summer, with the best of intentions, so we will do XYZ. And for small business owners, summer is really the time we need to expand certain projects, like marketing. So that’s what I want to talk about today!

Find out more about my course, The Interior Designer's Guide to Construction Management here: https://www.reneedevignierdesign.com/renovation-management-interior-designers 

Find the full show notes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/strategic-marketing-during-slow-months 

Do you know what the number 1 question I get is? How to price construction projects and how to best go about it. I understand why this is a scary step! You are projecting costs that may run weeks, months, or years, and you want to make sure your bottom line is covered. So today, I’m going to break this down so that your pricing can be strong and reflective of the work you’re going to produce!

Be sure to head over to my website >>>https://devignierdesign.com/<<< and sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win my exclusive giveaway!

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/pricing-construction-projects 

I want to wish everyone a very happy 4th of July!

Today is a time to unplug from work and relax. And that is an important ingredient to inspire creativity. 

When we are stressed out, running ragged, freaking out, frazzled, and everything in between, it is neary impossible to tap into our creative side. 

In today’s episode, I am sharing about how independence plays out in our businesses and the perks we need to focus on!

Be sure to head over to my website >>>https://devignierdesign.com/<<< and sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win my exclusive giveaway!

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/independence-self-employed-designers 

There will always be issues and surprises that come up on job sites. I find that just knowing to expect it makes things easier to get through. 

Anticipating and knowing the parameters of the issues that can happen make them so much less scary when they do happen and allows you to be prepared ahead of time and have confidence in taking the next steps.

So today I want to break down different construction challenges I commonly see happen and how to navigate them successfully.

Be sure to head over to my website >>>https://devignierdesign.com/<<< and sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win my exclusive giveaway!

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/navigating-construction-challenges 

I know professional development isn’t anything new, yet for some reason, I feel like it’s lacking in the world of creatives.

So today I want to talk all about professional development and why it isn’t a term often used with creatives like us, yet is really the key to success.

Be sure to head over to my website >>>https://devignierdesign.com/<<< and sign up for the newsletter for a chance to win my exclusive giveaway!

Find the full shownotes at: https://devignierdesign.com/podcast/success-in-professional-development