Earn More by Working Less with Passive Investing in Private Lending

It’s time to start converting your income to PASSIVE INCOME with Double-Digit Returns!

In a world where time is the most valuable asset I think it’s time we start taking some of that time back! Those of us that have been very fortunate to be successful in our businesses know that it typically comes with a price and that price is time. In our current climate, we’ve found ourselves busier than ever and often wonder how much longer we can continue at this pace. I’ve spent the last several years listening to my clients and listening to myself and so NOW I am starting an initiative to educate women on how we can start taking back some of our time.

With my background in real estate, the financial industry, and interior design it made complete sense to me that passively investing in real estate would be something that I could educate others on. After a few years of research and constantly finding real estate gurus talking about creating passive income by purchasing short-term rentals and other real estate I realized I did not want to become a landlord. I wanted to find a way where my money could work hard for me, where I didn’t have to do any of the work. That is where I discovered private lending in real estate.

Private lending is where you lend funds to another real estate investor who is purchasing deals for fix and flips, multi-family, buy and holds, short-term rentals, etc. You provide the capital, and they do all the work. We focus on shorter-term deals around 6 to 12-month deals with double-digit returns, but we do get larger-scale deals that are just too good to pass up as well. Our clients get to sit back, relax and invest in real estate that is protected, insured, and secured.

My mission is to help people take control of their finances and their lives. You’ve worked hard, you deserve to be able to find a way to make your money work hard for you and I’ve got the tools to help you!

Not only am I educating people on private money lending, we now have investment opportunities and I have access to a lot of opportunities based on your goals.

If you want to learn more about our opportunities, please sign up for our newsletter at  Passive Investing — Elite Design Assistants. Also, please feel free to reply to this email with any questions.

Let’s make more money by working less! Are you in?

xx, Danae

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DIGITAL TEMPLATES?

We love helping busy interior designers like you! So, in an effort to provide the best resources possible, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU about what templates you’d like to see from us. Browse our current collection of templates here for any you might need or want, and email us at danae@elitedesignassistants.com to let us know what other templates you’d like us to make and have available for instant download! 

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Design Workbooks

There are always going to be homeowners that prefer to take the DIY approach, whether that is for financial reasons or because they enjoy the challenge. While it may seem unlikely that they will reach out to purchase a service that an interior designer offers, there are other ways to help them with their project. Interior designers are catering to these types of homeowners by creating design workbooks. In this blog post, we will cover how to create a design workbook and how it benefits both the designer and the homeowner.

Define Your Design Process

Creating a clear, easy-to-follow workbook for how an interior designer starts and executes the design process is a great tool for the DIY-er. You can include customizable printables or downloads to boost the quality of your workbook. Include tips and tricks that you’ve learned through your interior design experience that someone who isn’t in the field wouldn’t know.

Optional: Choose a Niche

A general guide to start a DIY interior project is already an amazing tool, but you can take it one step further and create several workbooks for different niches. Here are some examples:

• A Minimalism Workbook

• A Guide For Creating A Feng Shui Bedroom

• Work From Home Workbook

• Picking a Paint Color Workbook

A great way to come up with different niches for your workbooks is by thinking of challenges you have had to tackle for clients and how you solved them for them.

Create Your Workbook

Creating a beautiful, clear workbook is key to marketing your product. Programs like Canva or Adobe Illustrator are a great place to start when creating workbook guides. This is also a task that can be outsourced to a VDA who has experience with these programs.

Get Ready to Sell

If you have an online shop on your website and you get a lot of traffic, this is a great place to store your workbook. You can also consider opening an Etsy or Shopify shop, especially if you want to sell multiple workbooks.

Market Your Workbook

Promote your workbook everywhere you can, whether that is on social media or on Facebook groups. If you have a newsletter be sure to mention that you have the workbook available for DIY-ers so that people who love your brand but prefer to do it themselves don’t miss out on your expert advice!

Go the Extra Mile

If you’re comfortable in front of the camera, or doing a voice-over video, creating a video on how to use your workbook is a great extra effort that could really make a difference to clients.

Although DIY-ers are not likely to purchase a service that you offer, they may still be following you on social media to get inspiration for their designs. Workbooks are a great way to bridge that gap between you and clients who want to do it themselves.

Happy Earning!

xx, Danae

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Online Shop

In this blog post, we'll explore how interior designers can leverage platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or their own websites to open an online shop and create a lucrative passive income stream.

Identify Your Niche

Define your niche within the interior design industry. Instead of trying to cater to every audience, it’s important to find who your clients are and what about you resonates with them. Successful online shop owner Sydney Brisco, from justahomeowner.com brilliantly says, “There is a lot of competition for almost every aspect of starting an online shop as an interior designer. You need to remember that your opinions, your voice, and your style will speak to a specific group of people and not be discouraged. Find what makes you and your style unique and don't be afraid to own it.”

Create Exceptional Products

Whether it's handy printables, fun artwork, or home decor accessories, the key is to create items that captivate your customers and reflect your design style. Keep your chosen niche and audience in mind as you create your products. You can start by brainstorming about pieces that clients have loved or how a handy spreadsheet could benefit a client trying to make design decisions on their own. Take inspiration from your own projects and experience.

Professional Presentation

In an online shop, visuals are everything. Invest time and effort into capturing high-quality product photographs or creating realistic mockups that showcase your creations at their best. Presenting your products in a professional and eye-catching way can make your products more appealing to potential buyers. And don't forget to write informative descriptions that are search engine optimized to make sure that shoppers can find your products!

Set Up Shop

You can use a platform like Etsy or Shopify to host your online shop or many website builders like Wix and WordPress will allow you to add a shop to your website, which may be beneficial if your website gets a lot of traffic. This is one of the biggest steps, as you can’t sell anything without a shop. Sydney wisely adds, “The biggest hurdle to opening a shop is waiting for everything to be perfect. Especially for interior designers (let's be honest, most of us are perfectionists) we don't feel right publishing something that isn't 100% done. But if you wait for perfection, you'll never open. And once you open your shop, your view on perfection will change anyway. Once your product is at 80% perfect, publish it so that you can start learning and honing your skills to make your shop better and develop your product better.”

Marketing Matters

Promote your shop wherever you can, especially on social media. From Sydney’s experience, “your marketing will really depend on your platform. If you are on Etsy or Pinterest, for example, your best bet is to market with the platform's ads. But if you are growing your shop on your own site, Google ads can be tremendous. Also, don't forget to look at social media. There are several Facebook groups for design and home improvement with varying levels of allowing ads. Always ask before submitting an ad because it's more likely to not only get accepted but boosted by the moderators of the group. You can also develop a following on Instagram if you are good at taking pictures of your process. And "how to" design videos on YouTube are a great opportunity for designers to grow their base and their following.”

Excellent Customer Service

Excellent customer service is what keeps customers coming back. By promptly responding to inquiries, addressing customer concerns, and processing orders efficiently, you will build customers’ trust and improve their shopping experience, making them more likely to recommend and return to your shop. Build trust and loyalty by going above and beyond to ensure your customers feel valued and cared for.

Remember, success in the online world requires dedication, consistent effort, and a focus on delivering exceptional products and customer experiences. By utilizing the power of branding, marketing, and phenomenal customer service you can successfully stand out online and create a thriving shop to generate passive income for your business.

Thank you to Sydney Brisco at www.justahomeowner.com for contributing to this blog post. You can check out her online shop here - https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustAHomeowner

xx, Danae

Setting Boundaries with Your Interior Design Clients: Myths and Strategies

You’re friendly, you’re responsive, and you show up for your clients. As an interior designer, these are all fantastic qualities that have likely helped you develop strong relationships with your clients. However, without proper boundaries, you may find yourself experiencing scope creep and burnout. Fortunately, there are ways to set boundaries with your clients that will ultimately benefit both you and your business. Let's explore some common myths and counterstrategies below.

Myth: You need to be available to your clients 24/7.

Reality: One of the most important boundaries to establish is how and when you can be reached. Clearly define acceptable channels of communication and schedules, and share these guidelines during the initial consultation. For example, you may want to limit written communication to email or schedule weekly check-ins via phone or video chat. Be sure to establish clear expectations and put them in writing as part of the contract. When laying out your limits, frame them in a positive way. Instead of saying, "Do NOT contact me via text message," you could say, "Our team will be happy to receive your questions via email and offer updates during our weekly check-ins."

Myth: Reasonable clients know better than to call on weekends or ask for extra favors.

Reality: While your clients are probably reasonable people, they may not be familiar with the interior design process. As such, it's your job to educate them about your policies and procedures. Don't assume that certain expectations are obvious; be explicit about them from the beginning of the project. For example, if you charge extra for revisions or changes beyond a certain point, make sure this is communicated in writing and discussed before any work begins. By stating the obvious, you can avoid misunderstandings and help your clients feel more secure about the project.

Myth: If a client makes a request outside of the agreed-upon scope, you should say no.

Reality: Well, it’s important to clarify that you can say no, especially if you don't have the capacity or desire to take on additional tasks or revisions. But can you offer a realistic alternative that works for everyone? Can you outsource certain tasks so you’re not overwhelmed by the added workload? If so, instead of simply saying no, try saying, "Yes, we can do that! However, that task falls outside of the agreed-upon scope and will come with an hourly charge. Shall we proceed?" By offering solutions rather than simply saying no, you can provide excellent service and potentially upsell your services while still keeping your scope defined and fair.

Myth: Texting back really quick on a Sunday isn’t going to eat into your free time.

Reality: If you go against your own word, you risk clients losing respect for them and expecting you to continue texting them back at all hours. It can be easy to forget that clients often feel better cared for when you are assertive and stick to your boundaries because it shows you’re confident in your experience. So avoid making exceptions or bending the rules, as this can lead to confusion. By being consistent, you will create a clear and predictable framework for the project that will help it run more smoothly.

Myth: You'll feel more relaxed if you address business matters right away.

Reality: OK, hold on. I’m not saying to let your tasks pile up beyond control, but subscribing to this belief muddles the line between work and personal life. There will always be things that need your attention, but the fact is they can wait, and it can be a tough learning process to start to accept that you have a full inbox and still stay present and engaged with your downtime activities. Set an automatic email reply if you’re worried about inquiries going unattended. But guarding your personal time is essential to avoid burnout and resentment. Besides, you’ll bring your best energy and performance to work when you rest properly and have a life outside of it.

A final note: Remember that your boundaries are your own, and you don't need to compare yourself to other designers or let anyone tell you how these things are done. Don't be afraid to assert them firmly and as many times as you need to. With clear boundaries in place, you can create a project experience that is both efficient and enjoyable for all, leaving you energized and ready to take on the next challenge.

xx, Danae

6 Tips for Designing Healthy and Happy Workspaces

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Did you know that the average office worker spends 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime? As an interior designer, you have the power to create workspaces that not only look amazing but also promote the health and comfort of those who use them. A good work environment is not just a nice-to-have, but a critical element in improving employee productivity, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. While ergonomic furniture and natural lighting are great starting points, there are several often overlooked design tips that can make all the difference. Let's explore some modern, creative, and realistic tips for designing healthy and happy workspaces.

1. Set up varied spaces.

To create a more functional and productive workspace, it's important to consider the different needs of employees throughout the day. Sitting at the same desk all day can hinder creativity and focus, so it's a good idea to offer a variety of workspace options and rest areas, including personal and hot desks, meeting rooms, quiet pods, lounges, and social areas. To make the most of limited space, modular furniture can be a wonderful solution. This way, employees can have the freedom to move around and choose the best environment for their current task.

2. Mix and match.

A workspace doesn't have to be sterile or boring. A good way to break up the monotony is by mixing and matching textures and fabrics to create a more inviting atmosphere. Consider adding soft furnishings like cushions or rugs to counterbalance the harshness of hard surfaces commonly found in office spaces. In addition to adding texture, incorporating a range of finishes and colors throughout the space can also breathe new life into an office. You can use different colors and finishes to create distinct zones. By adding variation and depth to the design, you can create a more dynamic and inspiring environment.

3. Bring in the greenery.

Adding plants to an office space is a trend that's here to stay. Not only does it enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space, but it also aligns with the biophilic design trend that mimics nature, boosting employees' mood and providing a refreshing burst of oxygen. A green wall or a few potted plants can make a world of difference. Just make sure to opt for real or high-quality faux plants, as cheap plastic ones may backfire on morale.

4. Make a splash.

Adding a water feature to an office space can do wonders for everyone's well-being. Not only does it connect us with nature and promote healthy hydration habits, but it can also bring back that good old water cooler culture. So, why not consider incorporating a stylish water fountain that not only serves as a drinking fountain but also adds a touch of decor to your office?

5. Promote movement.

Sitting for extended periods can take a toll on employee health. Standing desks or adjustable workstations are a solid start, but there are also many other creative ways to encourage movement. You could provide access to simple fitness equipment or yoga mats, which can benefit both physical and mental well-being. Additionally, incorporating fun elements like pull-up bars or even a ping pong table in the common areas can provide opportunities for employees to get their blood pumping and bond with coworkers, which boosts productivity and overall job satisfaction.

6. Integrate Interactive Elements.

A workplace design that caters to the organization's values and culture enhances a sense of community and belonging among the employees. Consider incorporating interactive elements that reflect the company culture, such as a designated wall for employee photos or a cork or marker board for sharing achievements, classifieds, or positive feedback. This encourages personal connections and adds to the overall atmosphere.

As experts in creating beautiful spaces that offer uplifting experiences, you can thrill your clients and their staff by crafting an office space that prioritizes the health and happiness of its inhabitants, ultimately contributing to their success–and yours!

xx, Danae

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Printable Art

Interior designers often have creative skills that go beyond their ability to design attractive spaces, including a passion for art and the talent to create their own unique pieces for clients. There are many designers who have created a stream of passive income by selling printable art on their website or on sites like Etsy. This is artwork that they created one time and can sell for years as a digital download, without any additional work.

As a designer, you have the advantage of controlling the selection of artwork for your clients, including choosing the design, size, matting, and framing, and can utilize this skill to create and sell your own artwork on your website. By creating your own artwork, you can not only showcase your artistic abilities but also provide one-of-a-kind pieces for your clients and create another stream of income for yourself. 

Creating digital download printable art is simple and can be done with a basic understanding of design software, such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator, and the ability to save the file in a high-resolution format. Once a designer creates the artwork and converts it into a digital download format, they can sell it repeatedly on their website, making it a great source of passive income. You can market your printable art through newsletters and on social media. If you feature your own art in your interior design projects, you can use your project photos to market your art shop.

If you're interested in selling printable art, there are several platforms you can use to get started, like Etsy, Shopify or even opening a shop on your own website. This is an excellent way to create a stream of passive income while also showcasing your artistic talents.

xx, Danae

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Product Licensing

Interior designers with a unique style and eye for product design can use their skills to create another stream of income through product licensing. Product licensing is a legal agreement where a person or company allows another person or company to use their product design, brand name, or intellectual property in exchange for payment, usually in the form of royalties. In this post, we will discuss how interior designers can start a passive income stream through product licensing.

Develop A Unique Design Style

Designers with a distinguishable style and a signature aesthetic do well with product licensing. Great examples of this are Sarah Sherman Samuel who currently has a line with Lulu and Georgia and Athena Calderone and her products with Zara Home. Both designers have distinctive styles that customers want to get their hands on.

Identify Marketable Design Elements

Once a designer has established their unique design style, they can identify marketable design elements that translate well into different types of products. For example, Justina Blakeney creates fun, colorful prints that translate great to textiles, and her Jungalow Collection at Target features bedding, shower curtains, and throw blankets that sell out.

Protect Intellectual Property

It's crucial that interior designers protect their intellectual property by obtaining proper copyrights, trademarks, or patents for their original designs. This will help prevent others from copying or reproducing their work without permission and ensure that they can monetize their designs through licensing agreements. It's very important to consult with legal and business professionals experienced in intellectual property and licensing for expert advice and guidance.

Research Potential Licensees

Interior designers should research potential manufacturers, retailers, and distributors who may be interested in using their designs for products. These can be licensees that specialize in home goods, textiles, furniture, lighting, or any type of interior design-related products.

Negotiate Licensing Agreements

Once the designer has found an interested licensee, interior designers should negotiate licensing agreements that outline the terms and conditions for using their designs. This can include details such as royalty rates, exclusivity, quality control, and more. A professional legal team can help with this.

Market and Promote Licensed Products

Once licensing agreements are confirmed, interior designers can market and promote their licensed products to generate sales and royalties. This can involve utilizing their brand and design recognition through social media, trade events, or collaborations with influencers.

By capitalizing on their unique design style and brand recognition and establishing licensing agreements, interior designers can create a passive income stream through product licensing. Consulting with legal and business professionals experienced in intellectual property and licensing is essential throughout this process. If you are a designer that has ever had dreams of creating your own line of home goods, textiles, or decor accessories, it is possible through product licensing.

xx, Danae

How to Attract the Right Design Projects (and Say No to the Wrong Ones)

As an interior designer, you love what you do. But let's be honest, sometimes it's tempting to say "yes" to every project that comes your way, even ones that don’t thrill you. It's easy to think that taking on every job will bring more money, more exposure, and more success. But the truth is that turning down projects is an essential part of running a successful design business. So let’s explore some key considerations for filtering inquiries and rejecting poor matches gracefully.

Identify Your Niche and Goals

Choosing the right project starts with identifying your specialty and interests. Think about your ideal client and the type of design work that excites you the most. For instance, if you're a minimalist designer, it might not be a good fit to take on a project for someone who wants a cluttered and eclectic space. Focusing on your strengths and passions will not only make the project more enjoyable for you, but it will also result in a better outcome for the client and boost your portfolio in the desired direction.

Keep Your Online Presence in Line

Your website and online content are crucial assets in representing your business and its image. Having a consistent brand identity helps to weed out clients who won't resonate with your style or vision. On the other hand, a well-crafted brand image will be more memorable and attract the right clients who share your design philosophy and aesthetic, leading to better projects for you. In addition, if your website provides clear information about your services and pricing, it’s more likely that you’ll hear from people who are already keen on what you have to offer.

Screen Inquiries with Your Questionnaire

Investing time and effort into creating an intentional online inquiry form can save you a lot of future work. Not only does it help filter out inquiries that may not be a solid match, but it’s also a way for potential clients to get to know your business. By asking specific questions about aspects including style, budget, scope, and timeline, your online form can effectively attract clients who are aligned with you. Using limited multiple-choice options, especially with a budget, offers insight into your price range and can also prevent mismatches from contacting you in the first place. Even if an unsuitable client still reaches out, your online form can still help you quickly determine whether or not they're a good fit.

Go With Your Gut

One of the most important things to take into account when choosing a design project is your gut instinct. If something feels off or if you have any doubts about the project or the client, you shouldn’t underestimate your intuition. Your gut instinct is often your subconscious picking up on something that your conscious mind may not have noticed. Trusting your gut can save you a lot of time, energy, and possibly negative experiences.

Turn Down Projects with Grace

It's inevitable that there will still be some projects that won't move forward as hoped. When you come to that realization, send the interested parties a gracious email that thanks them for their interest and recommends other designers who could be a better match for their project. You could say something like: "Thank you for reaching out to us. We appreciate your interest in our work! After carefully reviewing your inquiry, we believe that other designers could be a better match for your needs in terms of [budget/style/timeline]." This approach shows your professionalism and consideration, and it’s a win-win-win situation if you have a referral agreement with designers whose specialties or capacities are outside of yours.

It's natural to feel hesitant about turning down a potential project, especially when business is slow. However, it's essential to recognize the value of saying "no" to the wrong match. Doing so doesn’t mean waiting around for the perfect project to come along, but rather keeps you free to fine-tune your marketing strategies so that a better match can find you. In the end, it's about building a fulfilling career in interior design, and that starts with making the right choices about the projects you take on.

xx, Danae

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Website Ads

If you're an interior designer looking for additional revenue streams, displaying ads on your website that are specifically tailored to your niche can be a profitable opportunity. In this post, we will explain how interior designers can monetize their websites by showcasing relevant ads, opening up the opportunity for a new stream of passive income. Here are the steps to take to create a revenue stream using website ads for interior designers:

1. Create a website or blog. The first step is to create a website or blog that showcases your interior design skills and attracts visitors interested in home decor. Additionally, you will want to build your audience by promoting your website on social media and creating an email list. It’s important that you create a blog or website that is authentic to you.

2. Choose an ad network. Choose an ad network that's relevant to your niche, such as AdSense for Home and Garden, Google AdSense, AdThrive, Mediavine or Houzz Ads. Which ad provider you choose may depend on how many visits your website receives each month. These networks will provide you with ads that are relevant to your audience.

3. Place ads on your website. Once you've signed up for an ad network, place the ads on your website. This can be done by adding the ad code to your website's header, sidebar, or footer. Try to choose ads that blend well with your brand so that they feel like a natural part of your website.

4. Drive traffic to your website. To increase your passive income from ads, you'll need to drive traffic to your website. You can do this by creating high-quality content, optimizing your website for search engines, and promoting your website on social media.

5. Monitor the performance of your ads. Keep track of how your ads are performing by using the analytics tools provided by your ad network. This will help you determine which ads are working well and which ones need to be tweaked.

6. Optimize your ads. To maximize your earnings, you can experiment with different ad formats, placements, and networks. This will help you find the best combination of ads for your audience and website. When you make updates to your website, you may need to make changes to your ads to keep a cohesive feel to your site.

Remember that building another stream of income from ads takes time, trial and error, and patience. However, by creating valuable content and optimizing your ads, you can turn your interior design website or blog into a profitable source of passive income.

xx, Danae

Passive Income for Interior Designers: Digital Downloads (Part 2)

If you’re hesitant to start creating digital downloads that require writing like eBooks and how-to guides, there’s good news - you can turn design work that you’re already doing into digital downloads. 

Mood Boards 

Mood boards are a great idea for interior designers to create passive income because they can help attract clients and showcase their design skills. There’s the added bonus of being able to include affiliate links which allow designers to get a commission if a customer buys one of their product recommendations. Here are some reasons why mood boards are a great passive income option for interior designers:

1. Attract new clients: Mood boards can serve as a visual representation of a designer's style. By creating original, captivating, and well-curated mood boards, designers can attract potential clients who are looking for a specific style or aesthetic for their space. This is a perfect option for designers who have a sought-after style.

2. Showcase design skills: Mood boards allow designers to showcase their design skills and creativity, which can help them stand out in a competitive market. By creating beautiful and unique mood boards, designers can demonstrate their ability to transform a space and create a cohesive design concept.

Floor Plans

Interior designers can also sell floor plans to generate another stream of income. Here are some reasons why selling floor plans can be a great source of passive income:

1. Attract a wider audience: While some clients may prefer to work directly with a designer, selling floor plans can attract a wider audience of individuals who may not have the budget or desire to hire a designer for a full project. By creating and selling floor plans online, designers can reach a wider audience and generate income from individuals who are interested in going with their own design ideas.

2. Showcase expertise in a specific niche: Designers can specialize in a specific type of space, such as kitchens and bathrooms or studio apartments, and create floor plans that cater to that specific niche. By doing so, designers can demonstrate their expertise in that area and draw in clients who are specifically looking for that type of design.

Create Your Own or Hire a VDA

As a designer you may already have your own mood board templates prepared that you could easily convert into a digital download for customers. If not, this is a task that could be delegated to a design assistant that is proficient in Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop. 

Creating a passive income stream can supplement a designer's income from client work. By creating and selling digital products, designers can earn ongoing income without the need for ongoing client work or project management. This can be especially valuable during slower periods or when taking time off for personal reasons. Creating digital downloads requires work upfront but pays off over the long term.

xx, Danae