129: A Conversation with Rona Graf, growing Grace Blu Interior Design incrementally and small
Manage episode 442252335 series 3352354
Grow small and incrementally. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon! Shaun and Rebecca sit down with Rona Graf, the founder of Grace Blu Interior Design. Rona shares her journey from being a teacher to starting her own design firm and discusses the importance of slow and steady growth in building a sustainable business. She explains why businesses should focus on sustainable, incremental growth instead of rapid expansion and how rushing into growth can lead to challenges.
In this episode, they discuss:
- Rona’s background and her transition from teaching to interior design
- Starting Grace Blu during the 2007 economic downturn and the challenges she faced
- The importance of having a business mindset, not just a creative mindset
- Growing your business incrementally instead of rushing into expanding too fast
- Hiring people with skills where you lack expertise and delegating tasks and responsibilities
- The importance of collaboration and learning from others in the industry
- The importance of saying no and not taking on every project
- Balancing the creative and business aspects of running a design firm
- Rona’s approach to managing client expectations and the importance of not showing them the messy, unfinished parts of the work
- How hiring a CFO has helped her forecast revenue, manage overhead costs, and make informed business decisions
Mentioned:
Design Biz Survival Guide Retreat: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/
Design Biz Survival Guide Podcast: https://designbizsurvivalguide.com/podcasts/
Follow Grace Blu on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceblu/
Check out Grace Blu’s website: https://www.graceblu.com/
The E-Myth: https://amzn.to/47CoO8S
Rana experienced the luxury of the Palmilla to help understand her clients better: https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/palmilla
Email Rona for help, or templates, or mentoring: https://www.graceblu.com/contact
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