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Libby Wilkie, An Eye For Detail

Back before the internet and instant gratification, licensing was devoted to artists with a true vision and ability. Retailers would go to such artists, like Libbie Wilkie and request various product designs and an item would go into production after a year of planning, mock-ups and design ideas. That item would then circulate in an industry for two to three years or longer and make retailers millions. Fast forward to today. Artists no longer hand paint or create anything by hand. Most items are mass produced by machines over seas and if lucky a design will circulate for one season; or a few months. Due to the internet one design is no longer sufficient, making retailers change the wheel every few months, costing them millions in the process. The one thing that has saved this model is celebrity endorsements, like The Nate Berkus collection, Martha Stewart, Cindy Crawford, and various other celebrities. This has helped retailers move past the noise and stand out in an otherwise chaotic retail environment... all in an effort to capture your dollars.

Libbie Wilkie was one such artist. She started her career in the early eighties as a licensing artist. Creating shower curtains, bedding, ceramics, towels, linens....you name it, she has probably designed it. At her peak in the nineties she had a beautiful walk up studio that housed four designers. They had many connections to some of the biggest retailers and designed thousands of products. She later moved into textiles. It was a fast paced world, but one she knew and navigated well.

 

Today on the podcast I discuss her best tips for starting out, what keeps an entrepreneur in business in todays crazy market, how to overcome the daily challenges of being your own boss and things to avoid so you can stay successful. Click below to listen!

 

Lori May, Atlanta based Interior Designer

Join Lori and I as we discuss the transition from the corporate world into the design world. What it means to be a real business owner and how to stay accountable. What are the benefits of being your own boss? Have you ever thought about the cons of being a business owner? Learn how to better your interior design business, expand your value and create multiple streams of income.

 

Feng Shui With Tisha Morris

I'm thrilled to have my friend, Tisha Morris on the show today. Tisha passed the bar exam and quickly became a top attorney in Nashville, only to find that it wasn't very fulfilling. After much soul searching, an interior design degree and becoming a yogi, she discovered the art of feng shui. As she puts it, "I am a space healer"

 

Join me as I sit down with Tisha today to dicuss what feng shui is, how it benefits your well being and gets more peace in your life and home.

 

The Decorating and Staging Academy

What makes your house stand out? Would you like to know how to use what you have, choose color without regrets and get out of your own way? The decorating and staging academy by JoAnne Lenart Weary will teach you just that. DSA teaches you how to avoid bright shiny object syndrome so that you can move past the fear and get decorating results! 

 

With a plethora of online courses and classes taught all over the country, DSA has classes for every subject on decorating. Join me as I talk with JoAnne today about teaching in the 80's, design before HGTV and how DSA can teach you how to be a better designer.

Varian Brandon Business Break Through Coach

 

 

 

Varian Brandon is a business breakthrough coach. Varian is most often referred to as a  business coach, but her true skill as a mindset mentor, and a gifted motivational speaker has helped thousands of entrepreneurs reach their financial and career goals. She holds a masters in business management, corporate communications and a BA in organizational communication.  Varions journey began in the 90s when she began cultivating her skills as a stellar saleswoman. After 17 years of impressed clients and bosses alike, she began to feel that entrepreneurial bug, and wanted to do more. The thought of becoming an entrepreneur was both exhilarating and terrifying, but she decided to leave her corporate identity and turn her talents into a passion for helping women live their best lives in a profitable and rewarding way. Now she dedicates her life to being of service to women, helping them grow and maximize their passion and purpose through their entrepreneurial dreams.

 

Business 101 with Barbara Viteri

On today's podcast I sit down with Barbara Viteri from Viteri Style Management, a boutique consulting firm specifically for the interior design trade. Her firm focusses on bite sized, easy to manage systems, simple to follow organization and design specific software to optimize efficiency and profitability. Her passion for design with a nuts and bolts approach to the business side of things, takes your hobby into full blown design empire. Tune in to learn the top three mistakes that every designer makes, who to hire first and learn more about running your million dollar empire from the comfort of your own home!

 

 

Virtual Design by Amanda Gates

 

 

 

 

My team and I have developed a virtual interior design program that allows you to tap into my design expertise, at a fraction of the cost. This program will help you get answers you need to your biggest design dilemmas and give you the professional opinion you want to help save you time and money on your decorating projects.

My Virtual design program will help make your space functional, beautiful and impress your most discerning guests!

So how does it work?

Contact me today to learn how I can help you accomplish true style and timeless design without the fear of being too trendy. My virtual design program allows me to give you the best ideas and design advice for your home without having to come out to your house, because it is all done virtually! I can help you with color, organization, overall design direction, budgeting, style and much more….so you have the confidence you need to move forward on your project now! And the best part is it's all done from the comfort of your home, and at your own pace.

Let me show you the right steps to get your project started, and with all the money you'll be saving you'll be able to buy the high end products you deserve and love!

Contact me today via email info@abhomeinteriors.com or call us 615-750-2763. I can’t wait to hear from you and start helping you on your next design project. I’m Amanda Gates and I look forward to working with you!