EP 047 | How Interior Designers Stay in Control of Their Marketing with Laurie Laizure and Cheryl Kees Clendenon

February 13, 2018

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What happens when the platforms you rely on suddenly change the rules?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon speaks with Laurie Laizure and Cheryl Kees Clendenon about industry disruption, evolving technology platforms, and what recent industry changes mean for interior designers. While mergers and acquisitions can create uncertainty, the conversation focuses on how designers can protect their business, strengthen their marketing, and maintain control of their future.

For interior designers looking to build a business that doesn’t depend on any single platform, this episode offers timely advice on marketing, risk management, and strategic decision-making.

In this episode, we learn:
• Why past business practices can provide clues about future platform behavior
• How reading terms of service helps protect your business interests
• Why keeping records of agreements and platform policies is a smart business practice
• How independent marketing efforts reduce reliance on third-party platforms
• Why designers always have more choices than they may realize
• How taking ownership of your marketing strategy creates long-term stability and growth

 

Take Aways

To be part of Interior Design Community on Facebook, contact Laurie Laizure through the group’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/GInteriorDesignCommunity/

 

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Meet Laurie Laizure

Laurie is the founder of Interior Design Community, a thriving place where those working in the interior design and home decor industry connect to learn, share, and grow their businesses.

But what does that say about me?

I guess you could say I am a connector. I love to connect people who might learn from each other. I absolutely feel accomplished when two people I introduce meet and help one another get better. It really makes me happy.

I am a huge nerd. If I am interested in something, I dive in deep and read everything about it. I don’t want to just learn what it does but how it works. I measure and benchmark everything. I don’t believe in just “I think it’s working”, I have to back that up with data.

I love social media and tech tools. I love how it connects people from all over the world. IDC is truly international and has members from all over. It is so interesting that as an industry, we struggle with so many of the same issues….regardless of if you are from Boston or Bangladesh.

I would say I am a good judge of character… but I don’t always listen to my gut. I give people the benefit of the doubt. “Never attribute malice to what might be ignorance”

I am a collector of photo and video editing apps and fonts. I don’t think you can ever have too many of either.

I am a feminist and a liberal. While I don’t dive into political rants or think they belong in a work place but I say this because it’s a big part of who I am. I believe in equal rights for all people and I believe you become great by working together for a common good and not just to gain wealth or power.

I love good books, stiff cocktails, sunset on beaches and travel overseas. I love meeting new people and having interesting conversations.

I love beauty but will take brilliance over beauty every day. The ultimate comes from having both.

Meet Cheryl Kees Clendenon

Owner and lead designer of In Detail Interiors, Cheryl has been creating a buzz in the Gulf Coast design community for over 14 years. As the name implies, Cheryl’s sharp attention to detail is just one of the many things that Cheryl’s clients receive as part of her unique design approach.

She also has a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Arizona and an up-close and personal relationship with every phase of design, from demo down to the smallest accessories that create the detailed custom finish on all her jobs. It is not uncommon that clients return once or more for her services and her ability to capture their personality in each space while maintaining maximum function.

Cheryl’s name is also becoming more recognizable abroad, whether she is working for an out-of-state client, or joining international design tours, or sitting on design councils. She does all of this while maintaining a small design firm in Pensacola, cultivating unique pieces for her retail store, and being a wife and mother of two daughters.

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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.

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