Episodios

  • 172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman

    172 | How Designers Build Profitable Design Businesses With Donna Hoffman
    Jan 5 2026
    If you’re an interior designer who feels deeply creative but secretly anxious about sales, pricing, or talking about your value, this episode is for you.Too many designers believe that great work should “sell itself,” only to find themselves undercharging, overdelivering, and wondering why their business still feels financially fragile. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable talking about money, struggled to raise your design fees, or worried that niching down will limit your opportunities, you are not alone.In this episode, I sit down with interior design business coach Donna Hoffman for a powerful, honest conversation about what it really takes to monetize creativity. We talk about sales strategy for creative brains, why marketing clarity matters more than talent, and how designers can confidently communicate their value without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Donna shares real-world examples from her own seven-figure luxury design firm and explains why selling design is just as important as designing itself.If your goal is to run your design business like a confident CEO while still honoring your creative sensitivity, this conversation will help you take that next step.Featured Guest:Donna Hoffman is a seasoned interior design business coach and the founder of a seven-figure luxury interior design firm launched during the 2008 Great Recession. Known as the “master of words,” Donna specializes in branding, sales strategy, marketing strategy, and mindset support for creative entrepreneurs. Her work helps designers clarify their niche, confidently communicate value, and build profitable, resilient businesses that honor both creativity and well-being.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why interior designers don’t design for a living✳️ How to niche your interior design business without closing yourself off to opportunities✳️ The difference between being a generalist and having a compelling point of difference✳️ How to use a pitch deck to educate clients and increase project scope naturally✳️ Why creative sensitivity affects pricing confidence and sales conversations✳️ How to raise your design fees strategically without sabotaging your mindset✳️ The importance of selling furnishings and products as part of a profitable design businessRead the Blog >>> How Designers Build Profitable Design BusinessesNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the My Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and Guest Bio3:55 – Donna’s Story: Launching a Design Business During the 2008 Recession5:51 – How Sales and Marketing Experience Shaped Donna’s Early Success7:21 – Why Investing in Business Coaching Matters9:06 – The Truth About Sales, Niching, and Being a Design CEO14:24 – How to Sell Your Design Service15:56 – What a Pitch Deck Is and When to Use It21:05 – Selling Design Fees and Furnishings With Confidence26:54 – The Creative Brain, Sensitivity, and Mindset Support30:54 – Donna's Coaching Program
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    37 m
  • 171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026

    171 | How I Reflect, Set Goals, and Choose My Word of the Year for 2026
    Dec 29 2025

    Every December, I sit down with a cup of coffee, my Full Focus Planner, and a quiet moment to breathe. Because if there’s anything I’ve learned in my 20+ years in interior design, it’s that the goals we don’t set end up shaping our lives just as much as the ones we do. And when you’re building a design business—or simply trying to thrive as a creative human—intentionality matters more than anything. Without direction, it’s easy to slip into survival mode. But when you pause long enough to reflect, plan, and recalibrate, everything begins to feel lighter, clearer, and more aligned.


    In this episode, I’m walking you through my personal reflection of 2025: what worked, what shifted, the word that guided me through a year of centering and grounding, and how that shaped my business and personal life. I’m also sharing how I’m approaching 2026 with my new Word of the Year—radiant—and how you can choose your own word to anchor your purpose, energy, and growth.


    If you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or unsure of what you want 2026 to look like, this episode will help you slow down, listen inward, and craft a vision that supports both your life and your interior design business. It’s your invitation to step into the year with clarity, confidence, and a sense of grounded intentionality—so you can finally thrive, not just hustle.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ How to conduct an honest reflection of your year—what worked, what didn’t, and what still needs nurturing.

    ✔️ Why choosing a Word of the Year is a powerful anchor for personal clarity and business direction.

    ✔️ How my 2025 word, centered, shaped everything from my finances to my creative energy.

    ✔️ The key elements of creating a meaningful vision board (and how mine helped me manifest my goals).

    ✔️ Practical steps for planning your 2026 goals in a way that feels grounded and achievable.

    ✔️ How personal retreat days can transform your focus, productivity, and creativity.

    ✔️ The mindset shift designers need to embrace to build resilience and financial security in uncertain times.

    Read the Blog >>> How to Reflect on 2025 and Create Your Vision for 2026

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and start your 2026 with clarity, confidence, and direction.


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

    Timestamps

    0:00 — Introduction and Bootcamp Announcement

    1:56 — Why I Reflect and Create a Vision Every Year

    4:07 — Achievements and Personal Growth in 2025

    9:22 — AI Integration and Staying Relevant as a Designer

    11:56 — My 2026 Word of the Year: Radiant

    13:01 — How I Choose My Word of the Year

    13:46 — Encouragement for Your 2026 Goals
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    16 m
  • 170 | Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset With LuAnn Nigara

    170 | Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset With LuAnn Nigara
    Dec 22 2025
    Have you ever felt uncomfortable talking about money with a client—even when you know your work is worth every dollar? Maybe you’ve said yes when you wanted to say no. Maybe you’ve underpriced a project just to avoid conflict. Or maybe you’ve worked twice as hard for half the pay and wondered why running your interior design business still feels exhausting instead of empowering.In this episode, I’m joined by legendary business strategist and podcast host LuAnn Nigara. We’re having the honest conversation every creative entrepreneur needs to hear about sales, pricing, confidence, and standing fully in your value as a designer. We talk about why so many designers undervalue their work, how unclear processes lead to undercharging, and what it really means to sell your services with integrity and authority.If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your pricing, start documenting your processes, and finally step into your CEO role, this episode is for you. You'll learn how to sell your interior design services with confidence, without feeling pushy, awkward, or salesy.Featured Guest:LuAnn Nigara is a business strategist, speaker, and host of two podcasts: Window Treatments for Profit and A Well-Designed Business, the leading podcast for design professionals with nearly 9 million downloads. A seasoned entrepreneur with 40+ years in the industry and three successful businesses, LuAnn helps creative entrepreneurs lead with confidence, build systems that drive profitability, and finally get out of their own way.Through LuAnn University, she offers practical, high-impact courses taught by industry pros. And for business owners ready for deep transformation, her Chairman of the Board one-on-one coaching provides the clarity and accountability needed to lead at the highest level.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ Why interior designers consistently undervalue their work—and how to shift that mindset✳️ How documented processes directly impact your pricing, confidence, and profitability✳️ The difference between employee work and CEO work in an interior design business✳️ How to respond when clients question your authority or your pricing✳️ Why selling is not a dirty word—and how to reframe it with confidence✳️ How to stand firm in your boundaries without damaging client relationships✳️ The connection between confidence, pricing strategies, and better clientsRead the Blog >>> Secrets to Effective Selling, Pricing, and CEO Mindset NEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up for the Launch Your Business Bootcamp today and start building your business the right way.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction: Bootcamp + Guest Bio3:48 – LuAnn's Journey into the Interior Design Industry6:20 – LuAnn's Sales Background and Philosophy9:05 – Reframing Sales for Creatives14:59 – Why Luann Started Her Podcast18:32 – Coaching Designers Through Real-World Business Challenges23:10 – Challenges of Interior Designers 28:07 – Sales Strategy + When to Hold Firm33:44 – Why Documenting Your Process Changes Everything38:07 – Luann’s Programs + How Designers Can Work With Her42:05 – Employee Work vs. CEO Work
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    47 m
  • 169 | Top FAQs Answered: Launch Your Design Business Bootcamp

    169 | Top FAQs Answered: Launch Your Design Business Bootcamp
    Dec 15 2025
    Starting your own interior design business sounds exciting… until you sit down to actually do it and wonder, Where do I even begin?Maybe you’ve dreamed about launching your business for years, but the legal setup feels overwhelming.Maybe you’ve done a few side projects, but don’t feel “official” yet.Or maybe you’re terrified of getting your first paid client, pricing your services, or setting up systems that won’t fall apart the moment you take on real work.If that sounds like you, today’s episode will feel like the permission slip—and roadmap—you’ve been waiting for. I’m answering the most common FAQs about my Launch Your Business Bootcamp, an 8-week step-by-step program designed specifically for interior designers who want to build a profitable, structured, and legitimate business from the ground up.If you’ve been dreaming about making design your full-time career—without the guesswork, trial-and-error, or expensive mistakes—this episode will show you how to officially start your business, attract clients, and finally move from “I want to be a designer” to “I run a real design business.” This is your year. And I’m here to guide you every step of the way.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Who the Launch Your Business Bootcamp is best suited for✔️ Why this program helps you avoid the most common business-killing mistakes✔️ What you’ll accomplish week-by-week inside the 8-week business launch roadmap✔️ How the program is delivered and why the format helps you take real action✔️ What makes this different from other design business courses or mentorships✔️ How to know if now is the right time to finally launch your interior design businessRead the Blog >>> Frequently Asked Questions About Launch Your Business BootcampNEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up for the Launch Your Business Bootcamp and start the new year with clarity, structure, and a proven step-by-step roadmapCheck out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and bootcamp announcement2:12 – Who Is the Bootcamp For4:16 – What Will You Learn and Accomplish5:48 – How the Course is Delivered8:15 – What If I’m Too Busy or Not Ready Yet9:10 – What Makes This Program Different10:21 – Cost, Value, and Investment Breakdown11:10 – How to Join and When It Starts
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    13 m
  • 168 | 5 Ways to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Design Career With Katie Malik

    168 | 5 Ways to Build a Strong Foundation for Your Design Career With Katie Malik
    Dec 8 2025
    “I just want to design, but why is this so hard?” I get it! You love creating beautiful spaces, choosing finishes, and watching your vision come to life — but when it comes to running your design business, you suddenly feel lost. Pricing, contracts, permits, marketing, and systems aren’t what you signed up for. You became a designer because you love design, not because you wanted to be an entrepreneur.So many interior designers share that same fear and frustration: I love what I do, but I don’t know how to run a business.In this episode, I sit down with award-winning designer and educator Katie Malik, founder of Interior Design Deconstructed, who shares her honest journey from passion-driven creative to confident business owner. Like so many of us, Katie started her design career thinking her talent alone would be enough—until the reality of entrepreneurship hit. Through mentorship, business coaching, and intentional training, she learned how to build a sustainable practice that honors her creativity and her bottom line.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the business side of design, this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to figure it out alone. With the right guidance, systems, and support, you can transform your passion into a profitable design business. That’s exactly what I help designers do through my Launch Your Business Bootcamp—a step-by-step program designed to walk you through every stage of building a profitable interior design business — one that lets you thrive doing what you love.Featured Guest:Katie Malik is an award-winning interior designer and founder of Interior Design Deconstructed. With a Master’s in Philosophy from Cambridge University and advanced training in house whispering — a psychotherapy of space rooted in feng shui and energy alignment — Katie helps clients create homes and businesses that feel as good as they look. A triple UK Property Awards winner featured in Architectural Digest, Grand Designs, and The Times, she also mentors emerging designers to build profitable, purpose-driven studios.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ How to transition into interior design from another career with confidence✳️ Why creative passion isn’t enough — and what business skills truly matter✳️ How investing in mentorship and coaching can fast-track your growth✳️ The surprising power of networking and community for designers✳️ What house whispering is and how energy and psychology connect to design✳️ Why clarity about your business goals helps you grow with easeRead the Blog >>> 5 Ways to Build a Strong Design Career FoundationNEXT STEPS:🎯 Sign up today for Launch Your Business BootcampYou’ll gain a full year inside My Design Mentor, plus an eight-week program that gives you the roadmap, coaching, and systems to build a business you're proud of.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Bio2:13 Katie’s Journey From Academia to Interior Design5:00 Transitioning from Education to Entrepreneurship7:39 House Whispering and Advanced Feng Shui11:38 Building and Scaling a Design Business 13:42 The Value of Business Coaching15:13 How to Learn From Designers Across the Globe17:18 Lessons Learned From Running a Design Business21:29 The Power of Systems and Processes22:11 Katie’s Podcast: Interior Design Deconstructed
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    28 m
  • 167 | Launch Your Business Bootcamp, the Framework You Need to Build a Profitable Design Biz

    167 | Launch Your Business Bootcamp, the Framework You Need to Build a Profitable Design Biz
    Dec 1 2025
    Starting your own interior design business can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff—exciting, but also terrifying. You know you’re meant to design beautiful spaces, but when it comes to business setup, contracts, pricing, or branding, everything suddenly feels overwhelming. You may even wonder, “Can I really do this on my own?”Well, you don’t have to! The smartest and most successful designers aren’t those who do everything themselves—they’re the ones who ask for help early. That’s why I created the Launch Your Business Bootcamp—an eight-week, step-by-step coaching program designed to give you the structure, systems, and mentorship you need to fast-track your business launch and set yourself up for long-term profitability.In this episode, I walk you through what you’ll get inside the Bootcamp, how it’s designed to help you avoid common mistakes that lead to business failure, and why having mentorship and community support is the best investment in your future success. If you’ve ever wanted to build a thriving, profitable design firm but didn’t know where to start, this is the episode (and program) you don’t want to miss.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✔️ Why 20% of new businesses fail in their first year—and how to avoid becoming one of them.✔️ The importance of mentorship and community when starting your design business.✔️ What’s included in the eight-week Launch Your Business Bootcamp.✔️ How to lay the foundation for your brand identity and business purpose.✔️ The legal documentation and contracts you need to protect your design business.✔️ The systems and operations you must have in place to run profitable design projects.✔️ Why coaching investments often bring a 7x return—and how that applies to you.Read the Blog >>> Sneak Peek: Launch Your Business BootcampNEXT STEPS:Still unsure if the Bootcamp is right for you? 🎯 Join my free webinar: Learn 5 Money Moves to Start Your Interior Design Business Right - December 3rd at 12p Pacific TimeReady to launch your interior design business?🎯 Sign up now! Launch Your Business Bootcamp and get access to eight weeks of structured business coaching, plus a full year of My Design Mentor membership.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:09 The Struggle of Starting a Business Without Help3:50 Why Mentorship and Accountability Fast-Track Your Success4:48 Inside the Eight-Week Launch Your Business Bootcamp9:34 How to Avoid the “Unprofitable Designer” Trap11:41 Why Profitability Matters From Day One13:25 Building Intentional Change for Your Design Business in 202616:21 Free Webinar: From Passion to Purpose
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    20 m
  • 166 | Scaling & Rebranding Your Design Business + Job-Site Confidence With Nicole Roe

    166 | Scaling & Rebranding Your Design Business + Job-Site Confidence With Nicole Roe
    Nov 24 2025
    When you're first stepping into the interior design world, choosing a business name can feel like the defining decision of your entire future. Many designers freeze because they feel pressure to land on the “perfect” name—one that will carry them for decades. But here's the real truth most new creatives don't hear: you grow, and your business grows with you. Your brand name should have room to grow too.In this episode, I sit down with Nicole Roe, the founder and creative force of R. Nixon Interiors, a construction-savvy designer behind a fast-scaling boutique design firm. Nicole shares how she evolved from running “Nicole Roe Design” as a one-woman show to rebranding into a strong and scalable company identity… and why she will never rebrand again! We dive into the realities of choosing a brand name, the emotional and logistical hurdles of rebranding, and the importance of a name that empowers your team—not just your personal portfolio.If you’ve been questioning whether to use your name or create a standalone brand—or if you feel paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong—this episode gives you clarity. We also explore how construction knowledge, hands-on learning, and confidence on job sites can transform your role as a designer making you a trusted partner to contractors and clients alike.Featured Guest:Nicole Roe is the founder and creative director of R. Nixon Interiors, a boutique interior design studio known for blending bold luxury with real-life functionality. With a degree in building construction from Georgia Tech and over 15 years of experience across construction and interior design, Nicole brings unmatched technical expertise to every project. She leads a growing team, operates her own receiving warehouse, and hosts the podcast Highly Affected By Her Surroundings. Nicole is passionate about empowering designers, embracing functional luxury, and pushing the boundaries of boutique residential design.What You’ll Learn in This Episode✳️ How Nicole transitioned from a personal-name brand to a scalable firm identity✳️ Signs it's time to rebrand—and how to avoid common rebranding pitfalls✳️ Advantages of having a flexible brand name✳️ How construction knowledge strengthens client trust and contractor relationships✳️ The importance of practicing design and problem-solving in your own home✳️ Team structure ideas that support growth in your interior design business✳️ Tips on stepping confidently into leadership roles in male-dominated spacesRead the Blog >>> Scale & Rebrand Your Design Business + Job-Site ConfidenceNEXT STEPS:🎯 Join the waitlist for Launch Your Business Bootcamp You’ll gain a full year inside My Design Mentor, plus an eight-week program that gives you the roadmap, coaching, and systems to build a business you're proud of.Check out our Designer's Playlist!*️ Start Your Interior Design Journey *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design Grab your freebies:📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my CareerConnect With Me:📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign 🌎 Website at rwarddesign.comThanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:26 Nicole's Journey to Becoming an Interior Designer6:49 Early Career and Initial Projects8:23 Rebranding: Nicole Roe Design to R Nixon Interiors10:33 The Challenges and Realities of Rebranding12:50 Tips for Managing Google Listings During a Rebrand14:10 Masculine vs Feminine Energy in Design + Job-Site Confidence17:09 The Value of Doing Projects at Home20:49 Team Structure and Roles Inside R Nixon Interiors23:05 Expanding Studio & Warehouse Spaces24:24 Podcast & Brand Growth Beyond Interiors27:28 Final Advice for New Designers
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    31 m
  • 165 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #4: Key Systems Every Interior Designer Needs to Run a Professional Business

    165 | From Dreaming to Designing Series #4: Key Systems Every Interior Designer Needs to Run a Professional Business
    Nov 17 2025

    Starting your interior design business can feel like pure chaos. You’re excited to finally design for real clients, but behind the scenes, you’re juggling endless tasks: client emails, project notes, contracts, invoices, and oh—remembering who said what about that sofa fabric. Without systems, it’s easy to feel disorganized and unprofessional.


    The truth is, having solid business systems doesn’t box in your creativity—it frees it. When your client management, communication, and project processes are organized, you show up polished and confident. That consistency builds credibility and trust, allowing you to focus on what you do best—designing beautiful spaces.


    In this episode, I’m walking you through the four key systems that form the foundation of a professional interior design business. If you want to look polished, even if you’re brand new, this episode will show you how to set up systems that create smoother client experiences, save you time, and give you more creative space.


    What You’ll Learn in This Episode

    ✔️ Why creative designers need structure—and how systems actually give you more freedom

    ✔️ The four key systems every interior design business needs to look professional

    ✔️ How a client management system (CRM) can simplify your communication and improve consistency

    ✔️ The project management tools that keep tasks and timelines on track

    ✔️ How to track your time and finances for smarter pricing and less stress

    ✔️ Tips for organizing your communication and file systems to save hours every week

    ✔️ Why systems make your client experience more consistent, polished, and referral-worthy


    Read the Blog >>> Key Systems Every Interior Designer Needs for a Pro Business

    NEXT STEPS:

    🎯 Join the waitlist for Launch Your Business Bootcamp


    I’ll walk you step-by-step through setting up your client management, project tracking, and communication systems—so you can handle clients with confidence and clarity.


    Check out our Designer's Playlist!

    *️ Start Your Interior Design Journey

    *️ From Newbie to Confident Designer

    *️ Switching Gears to Interior Design


    Grab your freebies:

    📌 Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design

    🎨 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career


    Connect With Me:

    📧 Email: podcast@rwarddesign.com

    🔆 Instagram: @rwarddesign

    🌎 Website at rwarddesign.com


    Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week...

    Timestamps

    0:00 Introduction

    2:10 Benefits of Having Business Systems

    3:46 The Four Key Systems You Need to Set Up

    4:47 Client Management System (CRM)

    7:05 Project Management System

    08:45 Time Tracking System

    13:07 Financial Management Systems

    14:28 Communication and File Systems Management

    16:56 Wrapping Up: How Systems Protect Your Creativity

    19:07 Invitation: Launch Your Business Bootcamp
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    22 m
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