2020. Are you over it? Yup. Us too.

Let's hash it out at the inaugural BOD™ LIVE. Join us November 4th at 1pm EST.

We asked BOD™ members Jamie Galapo, Rebecca Ward and Christopher Shields to dish on what they’re done with in 2020, and what they plan to do about it.

What is your New Year's resolution?

Ready for 2021? Yaaaaas. Let's share our New Year's resolutions. What are looking forward to, what are you planning, and what are you committed to in 2021?Join the fun, December 9th at 1pm EST.

Mature, successful businesses begin with a strong foundation; a vision of where the owner wants the business to be in 3 or 5 or 10 years and beyond.

Many times, this future vision includes ideas and strategies that are fundamental for work success but fail to consider the importance of how the business will impact the owner’s life. After all, what's the point of having a thriving business if it doesn't support the lifestyle you deserve and desire?

We know ... we're all stuck at home. Sigh. However, Team BOD™ is inviting you to visit Palm Springs (without leaving your home). Take in the local sights, tour a cool project and hang out with Christopher Kennedy!

Don't miss out on this burst of sunshine.

If you know Kimberley, you know this is the book that started it all—E-MYTH. Join BOD™ for its first book club meeting. This BOD™ LIVE event will focus on the teachings found in Michael E. Gerber's seminal book, The E-myth. Gerber’s suggestions to create systems in order to run your business and save your sanity are a founding principle of what we teach at Business of Design™.

You do not have to buy the book to participate. BOD™ Live events are included with your membership.

With multiple projects on the go and too few hours in the day, you may have found yourself dreaming of that first hire. Or, perhaps you’ve hired before and it didn’t go as planned. 🤦‍♀️

This month BOD™ member and interior designer Laura Martin Bovard answers the question: Is it possible to build a dream team and keep your sanity?

Back by popular demand, we'll be doing an open group coaching session in May. Come prepared with your questions, and ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

You are not alone. BOD™ Live meetings are therapy for your business and your life!

At this month's book club, we are joined by entrepreneur and author, Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the creator of Profit First, which is used by hundreds of thousands of companies across the globe to drive profit. Mike has devoted his life to the research and delivery of innovative, impactful entrepreneurial strategies to you.

Let's get back to basics and talk about the BOD™. This coaching session is not just for new BOD™ Members, everyone could use a refresher from time to time. Come prepared with your questions, and be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

Join us for this live member meeting to help fast track the process and address your most pressing questions.

Let's talk about your contract. This conversation promises to be lively. If you're using the BOD™ Hourly Fee and Flat Fee contracts, we hope you'll step in and offer support and guidance to your fellows. Regardless, ask your questions and get answers!

Be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

Being convinced that systems are the solution to nearly every challenge you face in business is one thing. Creating those systems and writing them down is another thing entirely. The BOD™ Operations Manual took years to complete and we are thrilled that so many members are using it in their business to support the systems they have learned through membership. 

Come prepared to share your best practices when it comes to implementing, streamlining, and delegating systems with the support of an Operations Manual.

Every design practice, from sole proprietorship to multi-employee operation relies on the experience, strength and talent of others to complete even the smallest projects. Professional trades, contractors, suppliers, artisans, manufacturers and vendors allow you to consistently deliver on your brand promise, satisfying clients, increasing profitability and growing your reputation.

How you manage these relationships is critical to your success. Let's talk about the BOD™ Trade Partner Agreement and why a written set of rule helps to build trusted relations with your trades. Come prepared to share on the job experiences, what works and what doesn't when it comes to managing your trades, and get guidance for current challenges you are facing. 

If you’re serious about transforming your business by implementing the systems and procedures you learn about through Business of Design®, our monthly BOD™ Live meetings will help keep you motivated, accountable, and in good company.

Come prepared with your questions, and be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

If you’re serious about transforming your business by implementing the systems and procedures you learn about through Business of Design®, our monthly BOD™ Live meetings will help keep you motivated, accountable, and in good company.

Come prepared with your questions, and be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

If you’re serious about transforming your business by implementing the systems and procedures you learn about through Business of Design®, our monthly BOD™ Live meetings will help keep you motivated, accountable, and in good company. Come prepared with your questions, and be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

Should you or shouldn't you? Switch to flat fees, that is. This month, Kimberley will discuss key differences between the BOD™ hourly fee and BOD™ flat fee methods. Which method to start with, how to effectively use both methods, and how to decide which method is right for your business.

Ready to hire your first assistance or grow your existing team? At BOD™, we receive so many questions about where to start and the advantages of hiring full time employees vs. independent contractors. This month we are going to share the pros and cons to consider of staffing methods and review how the BOD™ systems make it possible for any member to hire an assistant / bookkeeper / fill in the blank. You CAN afford it! 

Already using (loving!) BOD™ 15 Step Project Management Strategy for your residential projects? You'll be pleased to discover you can enjoy the same precision and order running commercial projects with the BOD™ 15. Yup. Join BOD™ LIVE on April 13th when the focus will be on successfully running commercial projects.

Hey KS, what is a topline meeting? That's a question that was posed at our BOD™ LIVE meeting in May. The purpose of topline is to review the "topline" status of each client project, rather than dig into the nitty gritty.

If you’re serious about transforming your business by implementing the systems and procedures you learn about through Business of Design®, our monthly BOD™ Live meetings will help keep you motivated, accountable, and in good company. Come prepared with your questions, and be ready to offer experience, expertise and support to your fellow members.

Hey CH, what project management program does BOD™ recommend? The truth is, we don't. This is one of the top questions Cheryl Horne, Director of Operations for Business of Design®, receives from our members. With so many options available, this is a question we always refer back to the BOD™ member community to answer.

Following the Business of Design® 15 Step Project Management Strategy takes the guesswork out of project management and allows you, the hardworking business owner, to deliver on time, on budget results, every time. The BOD™ 15 (as described in your contract) are a series of client-facing protocols. Behind the scenes (team-facing) and not present in your contract, there is a lot more to consider.

Join Team BOD™ this September for our next book club. Recommended by one of our podcast guest, this breakthrough book from James Clear is the most comprehensive guide on how to change your habits and get 1% better every day. It's a game changer and a great tool if you feel stuck or overwhelmed when it comes to implementing the systems we teach at Business of Design®.

Ideally, every business owner wants to have a line up of customers and always know when the next job is coming. The most successful businesses sign projects via their pipeline, not chase their pipeline when projects dry up.

Lack of consistent prospecting = inconsistent results and inconsistent revenue.

Running a successful design business requires firm policies around all matters relating to money. While the public is aware in a general way that designer or trade discounts exist, there is frequently a misunderstanding as to how they are best used. A non-negotiable system for dealing with trade discounts proves to be an asset to the design professional whether he/she is dealing with clients or working to grow profits.

Before you dig into goal setting, BOD™ Business Partner Sierra Collins, has identified 5 areas that you must have clarity around in order to be more intentional in your life. Take a minute before joining the group to think these through and be ready to share.