The Deals Keep On Coming With PRIME DAY 2022! #OfficeGoals
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It's Prime Day - July 12-13! Join in the Savings by Checking Out These Great Kitchen Deals!
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Don’t miss out on these kitchen must-have deals.
Shop directly on our website!
Watch for more Prime Day Deals!
It's Time to Take a Break: Mini Mental Vacation & Relaxation Techniques
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With the prospect of summer vacation on the horizon, it feels harder than usual to settle into your office chair and get on with your daily routine. But we sometimes forget that vacation is not just having days with nothing to do or swapping one type of stress for another. Real vacations are mental. And they are possible and recommendable in our everyday life, so you don’t have to wait for your vacation days. You can enjoy many of the same relaxing benefits from a mini mental vacation no matter where you are. Here’s how.
Set a sacred time to unwind
Schedule some time, even if it’s just 5 minutes, to really set aside your problems and activities. Silence your phone. Nothing can burst your bubble during this time. It’s a non-negotiable getaway, all yours.
Live in the present
Many of us live worrying about the future and lamenting the past. There is peace to be found in connecting with the present moment by doing grounding or breathing exercises. Here is a simple one to try.
Sit as comfortably as you can.
Bring your attention to your breathing and begin to inhale softly and deeply. Pause and then exhale very slowly through your nose. Let your stomach deflate and release the tension from your chest and back. Repeat at least 10 times.
It’s normal if your mind gets distracted, so when you notice this, bring your attention back to your breathing.
Some people like to add a positive affirmation or mantra to repeat in their mind with each breath.
Meditate
For those of us who aren’t used to meditating, it can feel more daunting than freeing. But now, with a quick search, there are countless guided meditations available on streaming platforms and apps for all moods, tastes, and schedules, making the practice so much more accessible and effortless to all.
Don’t compare
It can be hard not to sigh when we see our friends or contacts posting selfies with turquoise beach backgrounds and drinks in their hands. Aside from the fact that social media often doesn't reflect the actual experience behind it, comparing yourself will only serve to make you bitter. Instead, send them good vibes and reconnect with your own present.
Make a gratitude list
More than likely, you already have a number of beautiful circumstances around you that you can bring to mind with gratitude. Write them down and take time to appreciate and bask in the sensation of each one.
Let yourself daydream
Beyond the here and now, take some time to envision a place you would love to be, and draw every detail you can in your imagination: the colors, the smell, the breeze, everything. Or you may even want to explore destinations online for a real future trip. It can even be intriguing to check out faraway places around the world on Google Street View.
Try new things
Breaking routine is stimulating to the brain and awakens our sense of discovery. You can achieve this by taking a different route to or from work, trying a new food or restaurant, or talking to someone new. Take a look at your routine and see what you can mix up.
Call a friend
While many of us are used to texts and emails that string together interrupted conversations throughout the day, a solid chat session with a good friend can transport you to their world, your shared musings, and upcoming plans.
Connect with nature
As part of the natural world, it can be very calming and healing to get in touch with nature. If you can’t go to the beach or a campground right now, take a walk in the nearest park and sit under a tree to listen to the leaves and birds or near a fountain to listen to the trickling water.
We all have different ways we like to disconnect from our stressful routines, but remember that a mental vacation is more than a temporary distraction. It's reclaiming time to actively connect with yourself and take care of yourself, and it's worth it.
xx, Danae
Elite Design Assistants: Did You Know We Offer THESE Services?
/ELITE DESIGN ASSISTANTS
DID YOU KNOW WE OFFER THESE SERVICES?
Kitchen & Bath Design Assistant Services
Everyone knows that Kitchen & Bath design is a specialty service that not all designers OR design assistants love to offer. While kitchen and bath seems obvious to those who offer whole home renovations, remodels and new builds, there are other interiors designers whose niche is something entirely different. For those in Kitchen and Bath, it’s helpful to work with a virtual design assistant who has an interior design degree, extensive knowledge of residential building and construction including trim carpentry as well as the talent to not only create a beautiful space but one that is functional. If you are in need of a virtual design assistant with specific kitchen and bath experience, please let us know and we’ll connect you with someone soon!
3D Models
Are you an interior designer that orders a lot of custom furniture? If so, we have 3D Model experts on our team to create the 3D models of custom furniture pieces to put in renders. This is a great way for your clients to see what the custom furniture pieces will look like in their space.
Short Term Rentals
Investing in real estate has become a popular way to increase income and make a better return on your investment than having your hard-earned money sitting in a saving account. All of those investors are seeking out the expertise of interior designers to add value to their short-term rentals. If you are an interior designer that has a niche in this space and you need help, we’ve got VDAs with experience in this nice as well! Whether it’s Airbnb’s, hotels or other short-term rentals we can help you out. Plus, if you are interested in investing in the real estate industry, we have a Brand NEW service coming … we are going to teach you how to make money by investing in real state while not having to do any of the work. If you are interested, please email me at danae@elitedesignassitants.com and watch for our new posts on Passive Investing in real estate syndications and a bit more info below.
Vacation Homes
Vacation homes are an excellent niche especially if you live in an area where everyone is vacationing. People tend to design their vacation homes a bit differently than their permanent residence and we’ve got VDAs that love this space, too.
Outdoor Spaces
If there has ever been a time in our lives where people are bringing the outdoors in and the indoors out it would be now. With outdoor living spaces, outdoor kitchens, pools and more, if you need help from a design assistant trained in this space let us know.
Kid-friendly Designs
If you are used to decorating kid-friendly spaces, it’s always great to work with a design assistant with experience in that area.
AND … Coming soon - Passive Investing in Real Estate Syndications.
Watch for an email and blog post related to this NEW service. As savvy interior designers are looking for more ways to create passive income and make their money work harder for them, we will be offering courses, an investors club and investment opportunities in real estate. As real estate and interior design goes hand-in-hand this just makes sense. Some interior designers are already designing investment properties such as short term rentals and others are offering value add services to real estate investment trusts so you may know a bit about real estate investing. However, we are going to reach true passive investing which means your money works hard for you while you don’t lift a finger!
Please reach out via email to Elite Design Assistants to inquire more information on any of these services we offer!
danae@elitedesignassitants.com
xx, Danae
Brand New Template Bundles on Our Website!
/We are always trying to offer our clients what they want and things that are super helpful to their businesses and lives. We now have a CAD Template Bundle and a Project Management Bundle.
The CAD Template Bundle includes everything you need to create professional CAD drawings and documents for your interior design project. It includes:
Design Set Template
XREF Titleblock Template
Plot Styles
Design Layers and Lineweights
Paper Space Blocks and Symbols
Furniture Plan Title Blocks
Model Space Paper Size Outlines
For more information, please check out our site at www.elitedesignassistants/shop#tools-and-templates
The Project Management Bundle will take your interior business to the next level. It includes:
Budget Spreadsheet Template
Cost Spreadsheet Template
Installation Schedule Template
Project Management Template
Material and Finish Schedule Template
Project List Template
Room Product Checklist
In this bundle, you can either purchase things separately OR save money by purchasing the bundle. For more information, please check out our site at www.elitedesignassistants/shop#tools-and-templates
Of course, if you need CAD or project management services, please feel free to reach out! We are working hard to make your life easier so you can continue to grow and create the business of your dreams!
xx, Danae
Latest Trends in Summer Fashion
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The long-awaited summer season is upon us and that means the rise of new (and nostalgic) summer 2022 trends that were already previewed on the runways and are now starting to be spotted everywhere, from fashion Instagram accounts to city sidewalks and your favorite stores.
Taking note of what we have been seeing emerging from fashion references over the last weeks, we know that many of the spring trends will carry over into the summer season, such as bright colors (especially pink, orange and green), bold prints (psychedelic or zebra) or a throwback to the "Y2K aesthetic".
HOOKED ON CROCHET
In the same vein, boho styles are back at the forefront, including loose crochet garments like tanks and bell bottoms, which can be paired with a bikini set underneath for a beach or festival look. If the knit pattern is too wide for the occasion, you can also try a light slip dress under a crochet dress.
GO TO GREAT LENGTHS WITH SHORTS
It's no wonder that one of the stars of the season is shorts in their many forms. This summer, we're ditching the micro hot pants in favor of comfortable, adventure-friendly Bermuda shorts. “Paper bag" shorts are sticking around this year, and the catwalks (Michael Kors, Chanel) have dared to bring back the capri pants, another tribute to the turn of the millennium.
SUIT YOURSELF
To the relief of office-goers everywhere, you can now find a wider selection of lighter weight suit sets with short-sleeved or sleeveless tops and short bottoms. Double-down on trends by choosing a brightly colored or color-blocked suit ensemble. More good news? This is a versatile look that is easy to dress up or down.
CUT OUT FOR IT
One-shoulder tops and asymmetrical cuts and hemlines are taking over and adding interest to the 2022 summer wardrobe. Cheeky cut-outs in dresses and jumpsuits are also here to lighten the mood.
STEP BY STEP
Lowering our gaze to the footwear of the season, strappy sandals (with or without heels) are coming in strong. They can be found in the same trendy bright colors we’re seeing in clothing, or in the gladiator-style model that has graced us since ancient Greece. Meanwhile, we’re experiencing the resurgence of a footwear style with roots in Ancient Rome: mules. Throwback much? But in 2022, we have mules with heels of all heights, pointed or round toe, and covered or open toe. And very fitting to their name, the debut of a hybrid: the sneaker-mule.
BEYOND APPEARANCES
Fashion goes much deeper than clothes, and these messages make a difference. In recent months, Rihanna has blown us away with her maternity looks by highlighting the changes that her body has been undergoing instead of hiding them. She is one shining example of the greater body-positive movement that, hopefully, is here to stay.
Will you try any of these latest summer trends?
xx, Danae
Is it Time for a Rebrand?
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Rebranding is a marketing strategy that involves partially or totally modifying the set of elements that identify a business or brand, in order to improve or expand its positioning in the market. This could include anything from your logo to the fonts and color palette you use, and much more. Just as interior designers get to know their clients and gather information about their values and tastes in order to reflect who they are in their designs, your brand should reflect the spirit of your company, and your clients should see themselves reflected in it as well.
It’s a process that the biggest names have gone through, and many times over. Household names like Google, Nike, Apple and a host of others have rebranded over the years, but they have managed to retain certain elements to remain familiar and trustworthy to consumers, while communicating an expansion or new values.
So, is it time to rebrand your interior design firm? Think about what has changed in your company, whether your niche or target customer has shifted, and what you’ve done so far to illustrate those changes to the public. Here are some reasons to consider rebranding.
The industry is evolving - One of the most common reasons for rebranding is simply to keep with the times. Interior design is an industry in which it is particularly important to demonstrate up-to-date design knowledge and an awareness of new client needs. However, don’t just jump on a trend bandwagon and blend in with the rest. Standing out is one of the goals!
Your company is evolving - Perhaps you have decided to cater to a new or different customer and want to attract that profile with a relevant corporate image. When announcing news about your company, such as the launch of a new service, it’s time to review if your corporate image still represents the essence of your company or if it requires some adaptations to reflect the changes you are implementing.
A lack of clarity or consistency - Your logo, mission statement and overall style need to be congruent and harmonious. Aspects of the graphic design should also be versatile enough to be functional across platforms. You should work with a brand book with specific fonts, logo formats and colors as a reference to project a unified image. If you aren’t yet, you may be able to pare down and consolidate the styles and elements you’re already working with and see if that’s enough of an improvement.
As we’ve seen so far, rebranding may include a makeover of your corporate logo or colors. In some cases, it can mean changing the very name of your company. But it’s important not to neglect other elements you communicate, such as how you describe the company and present your team on your website. You may even need to reevaluate your usual processes, such as your intake questionnaire and briefing format, to make it all fit together and work. In short, rebranding is like renovating a house. We can simply redesign the logo or change the visual, emotional and functional aspects of the brand at a much deeper level.
However, rebranding is not always the solution. It’s a significant investment that can’t be taken lightly. In addition to brand consultancy services, you will need to update your website, stationery, business cards, or even company vehicles if you have them. Everywhere your brand appears. This transition can be done somewhat gradually if necessary, but it’s best to keep this period as short as possible. If you have a well-established brand, it’s a good idea to do thorough audience research before discarding the current one. Sometimes a few simple changes with a bit of guidance or “restyling” are enough to get your current brand aligned.
If you think that your interior design business could benefit from a rebrand, set up a meeting with a branding expert. Create a moodboard together that expresses the feel of your design firm. They should help you by studying your case and carrying out a market study to make the change meaningful and strategic, not just a makeover for the sake of it. You can even consider asking your followers on social media to vote on their favorite new logo options by creating a poll on your Instagram stories, for example. It’s a way to get real feedback before taking the leap, as well as boost customer engagement.
Once you do define your new corporate image, take the opportunity to announce it loud and proud to your audience with a marketing campaign, sharing and celebrating this new chapter in the story of your business and a new appeal to your clients.
xx, Danae
Do You Need a Bookkeeper or CFO?
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We get several bookkeeping requests from clients and it’s important to know whether or not you need a bookkeeper or a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) or both.
A Bookkeeper will typically do the following:
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Services
Payroll
Monthly income and expense tracking
Categorizing all transactions appropriately and consistently
Monthly Reconciliations
Monthly Financial Statements
There are helping you with your day-to-day finances for your business.
A CFO on the other hand is helping you with business assessment, profit & cash flow targets, help you create action plans, and help you outline a long-term plan that will be beneficial to the continued success of your business.
We offer both services and if you are interested, they are detailed below.
What We Do As CFO
We have a 5-step process to provide a clear roadmap to improve YOUR profitability and cash flow. The steps are as follows:
Business assessment: We will analyze your business and financials and show you exactly what’s holding you back from making more profit and cash flow. We will provide you with instructions regarding the information that we may require to complete the work of this engagement.
Profit & cash flow target: We’ll get to work getting to know you and the goals you have for your business. We'll then set ‘profit and cash flow goals and put together a plan designed to improve the profitability and cash flow of your business.
Create a scoreboard: Each month we’ll give you a simple one-page “scoreboard” report that will clearly show you what’s going right and what’s going wrong.
Help you determine an action plan: You and your CFO will get on a video call each month and we’ll provide you with a shortlist of the MOST important “next steps” that need to happen within the next 30-days.
Help you outline a long-term plan: At the same time, we’ll work to help you increase the long-term value of your business so that you have a well-oiled machine that can run without you by your leadership team.
What We Won’t Do
For your success, it is important that you understand the scope and limitations of our services. It is also important that we do not overstep into areas that are appropriately your domain, responsibility, and authority. We do not provide legal, accounting, bookkeeping (unless you purchase this as an add-on service through Elite), auditing, data verification, management, facilitation, fraud detection, HR, insurance, or other such services. We do not publish or announce your plans to your team. We do not execute your action plans.
What We Need From You
You will designate an individual who possesses suitable skill, knowledge, or experience to oversee your bookkeeping activities and coordinate with the services we provide. In addition, you will evaluate the adequacy and results of the services performed by that designated individual and accept responsibility for such services. You will provide relevant information about your business on a timely and periodic basis. You will take our advice and make your own decisions about what to do with that advice.
What we do as a Full-Service Bookkeeper
(this is available as an add on to our CFO Service)
In order to provide accurate CFO services, you will need to have full-service bookkeeping done. May require additional software subscriptions. Services included are as follows:
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Services
Payroll
Monthly income and expense tracking
Categorizing all transactions appropriately and consistently
Monthly Reconciliations
Monthly Financial Statements
Unlimited email and text support
If you are interested in either or both services, please feel free to reply to this email to learn more!
xx, Danae
New Graphic T-Shirts Available & In Stock on our Website!
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Check out the newest additions to our online shop!
See something you like?
Business Coach… or Business Consult (An Elite Level Up Business Consult)?
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As you are aware, interior designers are in many different stages of their businesses. Some of you are brand new to the industry, while others are seasoned professionals. Some of you are solo-prenuers, while others run a larger firm with staff. There are multiple things to consider when deciding whether you need a business coach or a business consult.
In terms of business coaches, there are amazing options for interior designers out there! Working with a business coach is an investment in both you and your business. It is a way to take your business to the next level. Typically, a business coach will collaborate with you to design a concise, long-term plan for your continued business growth and success. Every coaching program is different, but a common theme is to have regularly scheduled meetings for 6 weeks up to 6 or 12 months. Business coaches guide the change and expect timely results.
Many business coaches have criteria that you must fit in order to work with them. They don’t just work with everyone and for good reason: they want to ensure their collaboration with you is successful. Interior designers seeking a business coach can expect a financial investment, and an investment of time. When you schedule time for coaching calls, implementations, etc., it’s possible your current client projects will need to be deferred to another designer on your team, or design assistant to ensure you have the free time needed to complete coaching initiatives.
You want to make sure the business coach you chose will work with interior designers in your current situation and that you qualify to work with that particular coach. For example, I know some business coaches will NOT work with anyone brand new in the industry, anyone who is just working interior design as a hobby/side hustle or anyone who doesn’t meet a certain annual revenue threshold. Again, you want your business coach to be someone who is coaching interior designers in your similar situation whether you are brand new, a seasoned designer, or somewhere in between.
However, maybe a coach isn’t for you and what you really need is a business consult. As we have all seen at some point, some of our interior design clients really just need a quick consultation. If you offer consultations with DIY clients, you know what I mean.
So, who needs a simple yet highly effective business consultation such as an Elite Level Up Business Consult? Perhaps you! Maybe you are not in a position to afford a business coach, OR you have almost everything figured out but you just need to pick someone’s brain regarding an aspect of your business, OR you are just researching getting into the interior design industry… the list goes on and on.
Here is an example of a designer we recently worked with during a Level Up Business Consult: They had their ideas, knew what their goals were, but didn't know the steps to get there. In came Elite with the assist! This client knew their current pricing system wasn't going to work for a new project they just took on. Their current pricing system needed an update, but they didn’t know how to update it. We’ve all been there, there is so much to consider such as interior vs exterior materials selections, sq. ft. pricing vs hourly pricing, do we raise rates for a long-time client or not. We discussed at length the pros and cons of each scenario, becoming a sounding board of knowledge. The consultation, which lasted about 90 minutes, ended only when we had worked out a firm way for this designer to move their business forward. We know firsthand that the business of interior design is only part creativity. For that simple reason, we took notes during the consultation and recapped the discussion via email, listing in black and white the numbers needed to make the business successful for this new project, and for the ones that follow.
While this consult was regarding pricing schedules, we are happy to discuss building a team, managing orders, establishing trade accounts, marketing and so much more. Our business consultation service is for interior designers or decorators, who have systems in place for existing clients, a relatively steady stream of projects, and is a solo-prenuer or manages a small, local studio. Typically, this designer knows the tools needed to run a successful business, but maybe doesn’t have the revenue stream or time to invest in a coach.
Let’s break it down for you:
Novice Designers (0-5 yrs in business) <--- A business consult can be the best way to start getting some of your questions answered. We will always refer you to a business coach if we find your situation is more suited for that path.
fresh out of college or is a decorator
doesn't yet know their worth (charges $50/hr)
may be exploring which design career is right for them
clients/projects are obtained by advertising and are not steady yet
Career Designers (5-15 yrs in business) <--- A business consult is definitely a great option for you. We can guide you in the proper direction in a manner, which is both affordable and respects your time. We will always refer you to a business coach if we find your situation is more suited for that path.
you are licensed & insured (if required in your state)
have trade accounts/ reps/ sub-contractors at the ready
is a designer by trade and made a career of it
known in community; steady stream of projects
Seasoned Designers (15+ yrs in business) <--- This is, more than likely, a designer who could utilize a business coach. However, if you would like to take advantage of our team’s expertise, we are happy to offer you an hourly consultation rate.
have a team of employees or contractors
has an income stream of revenue which is profit
possibly has clients on a wait list
has systems in place but needs to hone in on processes, increase profit, or update business practices
When you decide that an Elite Level Up Business Consult is just what you need, we offer help answering questions which need explanation in a step-by-step format, advice for those who know what they need, but not how to get there and a way for you to gain feedback, knowledge, and advice from colleagues in the industry.
Interested in our Elite Level Up Business Consultation service? Reply to this email to start a conversation regarding pricing and scheduling. We look forward to being a silent partner in helping you create the business of your dreams!
xx, Danae
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