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What made being a content creator exciting was the innovation… the originality… the audacity to be different. To actually create. Now, what we have instead is that, in the name of bonuses & badges, everyone’s producing the same of everything in hopes of “going viral”. The way creators have stopped creating in the name of growing… this is what I call “The Instagram Effect”. Full Show Notes This episode is brought to you by The Meridian Experience Weekend Vault. Get on The Meridian Experience 2023 List (Close Date: 08-28-22) Mentioned/Related Links — • S1E1: Making Your Blog Work For You Instead of Against You • S1E2: Single Tasking & Thought Purging For Better Productivity • Cited Article: TechCrunch --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

One question I've been getting a lot lately - which is to be expected I suppose - is "how does it feel?" How does it feel to take on such a large endeavor... to cause a ripple in the industry that has often made me feel small... to impact the lives of my peers... to be known for something bigger that me? It's not until I sat down to write out this episode that I was really able to sit with my feelings and come up with an answer for how it feels. In this episode, I'll be recounting all of the lessons from HPMKT, The E-Design Experience, launching a podcast, and STMN. And while I never did an official lessons round up for my first book, the lessons from that process as well. My hope is that in sharing my "favorite" self reflections from Meridian, you learn a lil something for yourself - and about yourself - while also taking this as your cue to pause in between your big ideas & build on your lessons from one to the next. Full Show Notes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

While I know that we'll be sitting down for a live at some point to have an interactive conversation all about Meridian, I wanted to have this serve as a searchable, "savable" one stop shop for anyone new to the Meridian Experience. What is The Meridian Experience Weekend? M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N stands for Manifesting Exceptional Relationships with Interior Design Influencers through Authentic Networking. The Meridian Experience Weekend is a weekend of relationship building and learning for interior designers and home influencers. The 4-day itinerary was curated to equip home influencers with the resources to nurture their passions & pave their own lane as a designpreneur; while interior designers gain a fresh perspective on how to elevate their brand & transcend the traditional design narrative. Words used by our 2022 guests to describe the weekend include “transformative” “inclusive” “energizing” and “magical”. Each day features a series of workshops and panels featuring thought leaders in our industry, in addition to intimate co-working sessions to turn those knowledge bombs into immediate action. Woven throughout the weekend is also time for wellness, networking, and rest. Full Show Notes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

If you’re listening to (or reading) this then you may already know that comeback is a long time coming! When I launched this podcast as The Design Influence 3 years ago, I had a pretty clear idea of where it was headed. I realized — while procrastinating on bringing the show back — that The Design Influence no longer accurately represented what I was creating. In hindsight, I don’t know that it ever really did… I just knew that The E-Design Experience — the virtual conference that inspired the podcast — was definitely not an accurate representation of what I wanted the show to be. It wasn’t, actually, until I did the Share The Mic Now Home Edition initiative in 2020, that I realized how much I was limiting myself & the show with the name “The Design Influence”… I just didn’t have the mental bandwidth to figure out what the next iteration of the show would look like. Now here we are, in 2022, less than 3 months away from The Meridian Experience Weekend — the first of its kind retreat style conference for the home industry — and I knew if I didn’t do this now, I was never gonna do this… this being bringing back the show. And then it hit me… The T.E.A… a show where I will be your guide as we T— think (and talk) through industry growing pains, E — equip ourselves with solution based education, and A — take action when & where action is needed. Talk. Education. Action. The show would run parallel the conference and continue after till the next one… and the next one… and the next one… for years to come! And that’s really why we’re here today… to talk all about The Meridian Experience! Full Show Notes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Are you ready for candid (and caffeinated) conversations about life & business as a designpreneur? Welcome to The T.E.A. with Albie Knows. Still dedicated to changing the conversation and creating impact, "The T.E.A. with Albie Knows" is an upgrade to the formerly known as podcast "The Design Influence". Every week, we will think (and talk) through industry growing pains, equip ourselves with solution based education, and take action when & where action is needed. It's time for T.E.A. I am your weekly hostess, Albie of Albie Knows — interior design content creator, multi hyphenated designpreneur, and all around idea machine. After years of trying to find my place, I’ve learned lots of lessons along the way. With the help of some industry peers, mentors, and friends, I’m always learning, and I have lots to share. So if you’re ready for some T.E.A, pop in your air buds, get cozy, and let’s dive in! — Music: For Love Musician: Jeff Kaale --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

MEET KEIA Currently, the Owner and Project Manager of Kimberly & Cameron Interiors, consider Keia a well organized, highly effective interior design obsessed Wonder Woman. Additionally, she serves as the President of the Black Interior Designers Network. I knew that there was no better way to celebrate (and honor) Black History Month than to have the President of the Black Interior Designers Network on the show. As someone who has worked effortlessly and endlessly to create a space for designers of color within the industry, in our conversation we talk about celebrating diversity, cultural influences in design, and what buying power truly means in the industry. Being that Keia is also someone that juggles many hats, we also talk about what it means to tend to herself and what her self-care looks like, something that I’m sure many of us could learn from just as much as we can from her words on culture, travel, and design. Carrying on the legacy of a close friend and mentor is no easy feat, and yet it’s exactly what Keia did and continues to do with Kimberly & Cameron Interiors and the Black Interior Designers Network, which is celebrated its tenth anniversary this year! -- FIND KEIA ONLINE Website | Instagram | Black Interior Designers Network --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Be it on Instagram, via YouTube comments, or straight to my email, I frequently get questions related to e-design — getting started, software to use, how to charge…you name it. Hell, it was probably a question from you! Spoiler: my most frequently asked question is always software related, LOL. But one question I would’ve expected to get more of that was actually my least asked question was whether or not e-design was a good fit. I’ve had designer friends remove e-design from their service offerings, realizing that it wasn’t a good fit for them and so happy to be freed up to focus on the services that did fit their business model. They understood the root of their e-design frustrations and ultimately realized that, no matter how many times they tweaked their packages or pricing, it would never make them happy.  Why aren't more designers asking themselves this — is e-design a good fit for me and my business? E-design, for better or for worse, has forever changed the landscape of the design industry and has become a very enticing income stream for many designers, seasoned and new alike. So in theory, it could or should be for everyone right? Wrong. While it is an attractive part of the design industry, it may not be part of the industry that’s for you. In the same way that not every designer does hospitality, commercial, or renovation design, I want you to know that it’s okay if e-design isn’t part of your repertoire. If you’re a designer that has considered e-design for your business, you might wanna pull out some pen & paper or your favorite note-taking app, because today we’re talking all about why e-design just might not be for you. MENTIONED • Season 1, Episode 4: Product Sourcing Online: Retail vs Trade • Season 1, Episode 10: The Business of E-Design LET'S CONNECT @albieknows on Instagram @thedesigninfluence on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Whether it’s in your business or in your personal life, have you ever had those moments when it just seems like nothing you do is working? Like you just can’t catch a break or get “it” right, whatever “it” is? Yeah, I’ve been there!  So what do you do when you’re in the thick of all these feelings? What do you do when nothing seems to be working? Spoiler alert: there isn’t a one size fits all answer. But in this episode, I want to share with you some of the most common “it’s not working” complaints I’ve heard (some I’ve even said myself) and what you can start to do to “fix” it. • Marketing • Social Media • Client Relations • Work-Life Balance • Finances Whether you’re a seasoned designer, newbie entrepreneur, or somewhere in the middle, no one is immune to feeling, at least once or twice, like you have no clue what you’re doing! But here’s the thing, you can’t succumb to the weight of the doubt otherwise you’ll risk making zero progress. Instead, discern what’s not working, why it isn’t working, and then come up with a plan to fix it. Today's episode is a very truncated list of all the things that you could possibly feel just aren’t working for you but the overall approach is the same no matter the area that you’re struggling with… Identify the struggle …and not with vague, cliche terms, but with very explicit and clear language. Until you can be completely honest about what’s not working, you’ll never figure out why it’s not working, much less how to fix it. Visualize the solution …and I don’t mean just being all “woo-woo” about the end goal, although there’s some woo involved. I mean being very very clear about what it would look like if this thing was working for you. How do you know it’s not working exactly? What does the alternative look like. See that and hold on to that. Hell, write it down! Create a plan that actually addresses each piece of the problem …and gets you closer to the solution you’ve envisioned. You may have to start at a very uncomfortable (and unpopular) beginning, but in the end, it’ll pay off. Marketing not reaching the right people? Might be time for a rebrand. Social media getting too overwhelming? Consider a following/follower purge. Client relations are a constant struggle? Rethink the services you’re offering. Work like balance totally non-existent? Outsourcing might be just what you need to create white space. Coping with an unhealthy money mindset? Maybe a therapist can help you work through those mental blocks. Execute and commit …to whatever your plan is. You know exactly how you want things to look and feel when they’re working so now we just follow the breadcrumbs till we get there. I’d love to hear from you guys, about specifically what isn’t working for you, whether it’s in your business or the peripheral pieces of your life. If I get enough feedback we can do a followup Q&Albie episode addressing what you guys share! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

A year ago (depending on when you’re listening to this), I became an official podcaster. I learned a lot, made a lot of mistakes, spoke to a lot of people, and went on the ride of a lifetime because I took a leap of faith and invested in another one of my big crazy ideas. Now, a year later, we are back for season 2 — 6 months later than planned but totally okay — and I am super excited to be back with new conversations, stories, and lessons to share. With every pivot was a lesson so let’s get to em, shall we? 1. Plans Change… And That’s Okay. 2. Hustling Isn’t A Badge of Honor 3. It Really Is Okay To Walk Away From Entrepreneurship 4. Starting Over Isn’t Failure 5. All Skills Are Transferable…And Re-Transferable 6. People Are Always Rooting For You 7. Social Media Is (Can Be) The Great Equalizer 8. It’s Okay To Say No — RESOURCES MENTIONED • Listen to Season 1 • Read the Albie Knows blog • Buy my new book --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

In the Fall of 2018 I had the crazy idea of rebranding The E-Design Experience and creating The Design Influence podcast. By the end of October, I’d secured nearly a dozen guests for the show and shortly after began batch recording the first season of solo episodes, guest conversations, and Q & A sessions.  While I had a general idea of what I wanted for the show and had sought some counsel from more seasoned podcasters, I really and truly had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. Sound familiar?  So what have I learned after 6 months, 21 episodes, 9 guests, and countless sleepless nights of podcasting? Lesson #1 — podcasting is hard as hell Lesson #2 — batching saves lives…and it save this show Lesson #3 — things aren’t always as people make them seem Lesson #4 — perfection is truly paralyzing Lesson #5 — always have a back up that is familiar and reliable Lesson #6 — the women in this industry are phenomenal Lesson #7 — I hate the sound of my own voice but I love talking to you Lesson #8 — consistency is personal and mental I don’t say any of this to tell you to run out and start a podcast — because I do believe it isn’t for everyone! — but I do believe that we all have passions and dreams and big ideas that deserve to be explored.  BET ON YOURSELF... Start the blog.  Buy the course. Record the podcast.  Write the book. Take the trip.  Whatever it is that’ll take your dream from dream to reality, bet on yourself and make it happen. I did. And I have a lifetime of lessons with zero regrets to show for it.  While this may be the final episode of the season, this isn’t the end of the road for us — not even close!  This summer The Influence Directory will be opening up with two new courses. For more information and enrollment you can head over to www.thedesigninfluence.com/directory. There, you’ll also be able to see what else is coming plus make course suggestions!  At the end of every guest episode, I asked them what’s been influencing them lately. Here’s my answer to that question — you. Every email, DM, request, comment, and review influences that next step in my own  designpreneur journey.  Thank you for being my influencers.  — Episode Resources On The Blog: 10 Lessons I Learned Hosting A Conference Episode 005: Creating Content & Getting Paid With Affiliate Marketing and Sponsored Content Coming This Summer In The Influence Directory: • Pre-Enrollment Now Open: Affiliate Marketing Decoded • Pre-Enrollment Now Open: Unlocking Presentation Tools --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

If you caught the last episode then you know I hung out with fellow wife, mama, e-designer, and content creator, Heather Hess. We had a great conversation all around the other side of e-design and working with third party platforms — and trust me when I say, if you’re someone who has been considering e-design as a service or business model, this is definitely an episode you’ll want to tune into.  In addition to how Heather secured her first clients via Etsy, we also talked about how she built a loyal community on Instagram, how she secured a position with SwatchPop as their Editorial Director, and her content creation plans for the future, which started with her batching her entire 2019 content strategy!  I knew Heather would have to come back on the show to talk all things batching with me! If you listened to Episode 2 of the show where I talked all about single tasking and thought purging for better productivity, then you know batching is my jam! So this Q & Albie sesh is all about just that.  This week we’re answering: When preparing to batch work, what do you do first? Do I set up wording first or graphics? I have a lot that I want to talk about — I’m multipassionate. So how I do I prioritize so I can plan my batching? Batching is something I would love to do but I don’t have the time. How do I create a schedule for batching? Does batching really help with your productivity or are you spending the same amount of time on tasks, but just doing them all together? What are the tools that you use and love to help with batching? How can I batch client work? How far is too far in advanced when you’re batching if things are always changing? My problem with batching is that I get going, I get distracted. I’ll start working on one thing, but if it needs a missing piece, I tend to that and get derailed in another rabbit hole. How can I truly stay focused and in the moment and not get pulled away? Are there any batching hacks that you can recommend? Do you find that technology makes batching easier or old-fashioned pen and paper planning? — RESOURCES Batching Hack: Setting Up Canned Emails in Gmail Our Favorite Systems, Apps, and More —  FIND HEATHER ONLINE: Website | Instagram | SwatchPop As a mother to 4 young kids, she quickly realized that the design of a home greatly impacts how people function inside. Heather believes a home should reflect the personality of those inside, so she loves that her job is to help make that happen.  E-Design, specifically, became her main passion because it provides her clients with an affordable interior design experience from the comfort of their home, while also giving her the opportunity to stay home with her kids while working. Like many of us, Heather has done freelance e-design on many 3rd party platforms but also serves her own clients through her website.  — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

It’s no secret that I love chatting with fellow e-designers, but it’s not something I’ve ever done on the show, so today’s episode — the last guest episode of the season — is with my girl Heather Hess and we have a lot to talk about.   Heather’s passion for design started in her own home.  As a mother to 4 young kids, she quickly realized that the design of a home greatly impacts how people function inside. Heather believes a home should reflect the personality of those inside, so she loves that her job is to help make that happen. E-Design, specifically, became her main passion because it provides her clients with an affordable interior design experience from the comfort of their home, while also giving her the opportunity to stay home with her kids while working.  Heather has also leveraged her talents to be the Editorial Director for SwatchPop, focusing on their social media and blog content, allowing her to create content that people crave, look forward to and feel a part of.   In addition to talking about all things e-design — from securing your own clients to working on a platform like SwatchPop — we get into a few other fun topics like batching and blogging…aka some of our fav things about being entrepreneurs!  Heather has created a loyal online community and thriving career, all as an e-designer by leaning into her strengths and passions.  — FIND HEATHER ONLINE: Website | Instagram | SwatchPop — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.  The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Way back, while I was recording the premiere episode on blogging and whether or not your blog is working for you or against you, it hit me — yes, we’re designers, but where many of you struggle isn’t where you think you struggle. Anyone making money with an online business — not brick and mortar or in-person — has to be rocking some other facets of the online world. I’m talking everyone from the online educator to the beauty guru. What they understand is the need to show up online. Not in all the places but in the places they do best. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Over the past year, I have been able to secure interviews and sponsored collaborations, all on the heels of a yearlong social media sabbatical. I share this with you because while I am immensely proud this, what I am most proud of is the circumstances under which I hit these milestones — with a small number of followers/subscribers across all of my social channels. We often hear about the pressure to have high numbers as social proof, but there is something to be said for the micro-micro-MICRO-influencer who, as the saying goes, is small but mighty!  So how did I do it? On the blog, I shared the techniques that I’ll be mentioning on today’s show. Whether you have 1,000 or 1,000,000 followers & subscribers, there are a few key things you should be doing to boost your visibility and brand attractiveness, and that’s what we’re getting into today.  — Resources:  • Episode 017: The Power of Positioning Yourself As An Influencer (If You Want To) • On The Blog: How I Secured Brand Collaborations With Less Than 1,000 Followers • In The Shop: Courses Coming to The Influence Directory — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.  The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

In the short amount of time I’ve been on my designpreneur journey, I can say more than half of the designers I’ve met are, or started as, “side hustlers” — working a whole other job full-time while pursuing a design business. That transition from "side hustle" to self-employed isn’t just quitting a job & starting a new one — it’s as much a financial & mental transition, as it is a physical one. So I am excited for you guys to hear today’s conversation with one of my fav people, Amanda Amato.  Last year Amanda made the decision to resign from her full time "day job" to pursue AMA Designs full-time. Today we’re digging into what it was like balancing the two roles, how she came to that ultimate decision to leave her full time job, and what the transition has been like. I am confident, even if you’re not a side hustler, that you’re gonna get so much value from our conversation, so let’s dive in! — Find Amanda Online: Website | Instagram | Facebook — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.  The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

One of the tracks of last summer's conference — The Exponential Designpreneur — focused exclusively on the growth of designers, beyond design. With that a lot of the content was crafted around other avenues of income & visibility, such as personal branding & establishing yourself as an influencer within (and outside of) the design community. Translation: being an influencer. In this episode, I’m going to talk about what it can look like being not only a designer in the industry, but an influencer in the industry. — Resources: • Episode 001: Making Your Blog Work For You Instead of Against You • On The Blog: Lessons From The Fyre Festival Documentaries • In The Shop: Social Media Planning Calendar Template — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY. The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

If you tuned in last week then this minisode is gonna be a real treat because we are back with Veronica Solomon for a Q & A on #allthethings when it comes to being the CEO in your business. — Last Week: • paying yourself first • understanding business principles • diversifying services • embracing shiny object syndrome • selling in your business model — This week we’re answering: • I am just getting started out & everyone says to niche down. How do I identify my niche? (2:06) • As a solopreneur, how do you diversify my services without a team? I'm only one person. (3:19) • I am starting out and struggling with consistently securing clients. What have been your most successful avenues for new projects to keep your pipeline healthy & consistent? (4:21) • I just left my full-time job to pursue my side hustle as now my only career. What are the first steps to legitimizing my business? (6:37) • I'm going to my first trade show soon & I want to make sure I represent my business best I can. Any tips for this? (7:56) • I've finally gone from making money in my business to actually making a profit. But how do I actually pay myself? Do I pay myself, as the boss, if I want to have a team eventually? (10:09) • My online services do way better than my in-person services even though it's all local clients. How can I shift the table to be seen as more than just e-design? (12:51) • Setting my prices is difficult for me because I want to be profitable but I also don't want to turn people away. What's the sweet spot? (14:42) — TODAY’S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Veronica Solomon has been creating beautiful interiors for the last 10 years, and knows a thing or two about the ups and downs in the business. The landscape of interior design has changed dramatically over the years, and with all the changes, she has learned how to package her  services, market her business, and create an iron-clad process that clients see value in, and are willing to pay top dollar for. These processes and systems have grown her business exponentially. And not only did clients take notice, but so do publications, industry organizations, vendors and fellow designers.  When I asked Veronica what her super power was, off air, she said “client management, closing the deal, and diversifying services” — three areas that most creatives struggle with, especially in the beginning. But as I have continued to watch Veronica move within her business and the industry, it hit me — her real power is in being the CEO of her business. With or without a team, Veronica has adopted a mindset that completely changed her business and we dig into what  that “aha” moment was for her that took her from bankruptcy to publication features.  — SKIP STRAIGHT TO THE CONVERSATION AT 4:51 — FIND VERONICA ONLINE Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY.  The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

LuAnn Nigara is the co-owner of Window Works in Livingston, NJ, the author of The Making of A Well-Designed Business™ and the engaging host of the 5-star rated podcast A Well-Designed Business™. The podcast, A Well-Designed Business™ is the definitive resource for interior design professionals interested in operating a profitable and productive business. Known for asking questions that get to the heart of the subject, her show is down to earth and actionable. In our conversation we talk about how hard it is to run a systemized, profitable business, noting that it is not something done lightly but with commitment and intention, the rewards are far more reaching than financial. — “Decide to be excellent because make no mistake about it, excellence is a decision” — LUANN NIGARA, THE MAKING OF A WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS™ This episode is jam packed with gems but some of the biggest takeaways are: • Some are attempted and some are accomplished…and that’s okay. • The basic formula to success is having confidence, understanding the obstacles, and implementing a plan & strategy. • In the beginning, you need to be vigilante about assigning yourself manageable and accountable tasks. — FIND LUANN ONLINE: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group READ LUANN’S BOOKS: The Making of A Well-Designed Business™ The Things I Learned From A Well-Designed Business™, The Power Talk Friday Experts — THIS EPISODE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INFLUENCE DIRECTORY. The Influence Directory is an index of courses designed to help you maximize your expertise and influence. From software to strategy, tools to tactics, I have pooled my knowledge and resources to help you learn, connect, and thrive on your designpreneur journey. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support

Niki is a Raleigh, NC native and has  been working in the interior design industry for nearly 10 years. After being fired unexpectedly at the beginning of 2018, she decided to build her own design company, SingleBubblePop Design Studio. In less than a year, she’s grossed well over 6 figures and already starting to build our her team. When we decide to start our own businesses, for most of us, it’s a lot of trial and error. We can only hope that in those errors, we learn and continue to be better with each new attempt. That’s what Niki did. From starting her blog a decade ago to using previous design experiences to build her own business, nothing is lost in the trenches. Her design company has been profitable from day one because she applied business  principles to her design services, creating systems that maximize her profitability. She’s an entrepreneur first & designer second! Find Niki Online: Website | Instagram | Facebook --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/albieknows/support