EP 227 | Knowing When to Say No to a Design Project with Laura Elliott & LeAnne Bunnell

June 22, 2021

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How do you know when a project is the right opportunity—and when it’s a hard no?

In this episode, Kimberley Seldon turns to fellow BOD™ members Laura Elliott and LeAnne Bunnell for honest advice about evaluating project opportunities, protecting your energy, and making smarter business decisions.

Not every project is worth taking on. Even exciting opportunities can come with hidden emotional, creative, or operational costs. This candid conversation explores how designers can assess whether a project aligns with their goals, bandwidth, and vision for their business.

If you’ve ever struggled to decide whether to say yes or no to a potential client, this episode will help you think more strategically.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why creative constraints can sometimes improve design solutions
• How stretching creatively can support professional growth
• Why saying yes to one project always means saying no to something else
• How to recognize projects that may drain too much mental or emotional energy
• Why pressure or desperation can lead to poor project decisions
• How thoughtful decision-making protects your business and wellbeing

About LeAnne Bunnell

LeAnne Bunnell Interiors is a full-service boutique interior design studio working in Calgary and around western Canada since 2003. LeAnne and her crack team pride themselves on strong relationships and creating spaces that clearly resonate with the clients they work with. Specializing in everything from full room transformations to large scale builds and renovation projects, LBI is recognized for their creative and tailored approach to design.

‘We believe you should love where you live every day. We believe you shape your home and, in turn, your home shapes you. We believe in luxury and indulgence and that means different things to different people. We believe that it’s never wrong if you love it. We believe in candlelight, fresh flowers and pillows.’

www.leannebunnell.com

About Laura Elliott

Refined Interiors is a Berkeley-based, full-service interior design firm owned by Laura Elliott.

Raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Laura fell in love with California and decided to call it home when she moved to the West Coast as a teenager.

She received a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Art Institute of California, San Francisco, and started her career as a designer at a prestigious boutique hospitality design firm.

Laura loves meeting with new clients and brainstorming the exciting ways to transform their spaces. She is passionate about helping busy families transform their new or existing houses into updated, unique, and functional homes.​

www.refinedinteriors.design

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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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