EP 064 | How Interior Designers Build Confidence with Laura Martin Bovard (Part 2)

June 11, 2018

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Are you unknowingly holding yourself back from the success you deserve?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon continues her conversation with Laura Martin Bovard about confidence, communication, and leadership. Together, they explore how designers can stop playing small, navigate difficult client situations with confidence, and create better outcomes through preparation and clear communication.

For interior designers who want to lead projects more effectively and strengthen client relationships, this episode offers practical strategies for staying calm, setting expectations, and trusting your expertise.

In this episode, we learn:
• Why taking responsibility doesn’t mean accepting blame for every problem
• How situational questions during client intake uncover valuable information early
• Why preparing clients for potential challenges helps prevent future conflict
• How storytelling can help clients understand risks and appreciate your expertise
• Why it’s okay to pause a conversation when emotions are running high
• How confidence and clear communication lead to stronger client relationships and better project outcomes

 

Design Intervention

Practice stepping away from heated conversations. When a client or trade raises his or her voice to you, don’t match the volume. Instead, ask for time to consider what is being said, accept responsibility for the situation if it’s your fault, assure the person you want to make the situation right and get yourself to a calm and safe space where you can think more effectively.

Laura Martin Bovard started LMB Interiors from her dining room table as a solopreneur and new mom, in 2002. She has since grown her firm into a multi-million-dollar business, currently employing six additional designers, plus design assistant, expediter, marketing director, and design intern.

Laura is passionate about beautiful interior design, self-care, and spiritually-conscious personal and business growth — and how these intersect, both in how she designs welcoming, soulful spaces for her clients, and in how she runs her business and mentors newer designers.

She says, “What matters to all of us is community; how we as humans can be our best, most resourced selves, bring our gifts to others, and include others in our lives. We hunger to create beauty and connection in service of our community, our clients, the tribe of humans. This is why I do this work.”

LMB Interiors’ residential portfolio features updated, livable designs for modern families and individuals stewarding historically-significant turn-of-the-century and mid-century homes in the Bay Area. The firm’s commercial projects include tech start-up spaces, real estate offices, and a number of beloved local eateries, which happen to be owned by her sister and brother-in-law, restaurateurs Rebekah and Rich Wood.

Through LMB Interiors, Laura invests in her community and supports the health of the planet by prioritizing local sourcing, artisans, and vendors, and the use of ecologically conscious materials.

Laura is a featured designer in the upcoming sixth season of “Brother vs. Brother,” a spin-off of the “Property Brothers” franchise, to air on May 23rd, 2018. She is frequently invited to speak about philanthropy and ethical business practices in interior design on panels at the San Francisco Design Center and at industry events. Her firm has received numerous awards, including Best of Oakland, Oakland Magazine readers’ choice awards, 2015 and 2018; Best of Houzz, Service, 2013, 2016, 2017; and Best of Houzz, Design, 2018.

www.lmbinteriors.com
@lmbinteriors

www.divinehustler.com
@divinehustler

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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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