Today With Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso: Today on the podcast I’m joined by Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso, for the second in our new series, Overheard. We’re taking a trip down memory lane and talking about what we wish we knew then—spilling the tea on times we’ve tripped up, and sharing the qualified advice and business-savvy gleaned from those tough times. Because whether you’re a beginning, rising or seasoned designer, there are always mistakes made along the way, but, more importantly, lessons learned. Pick It Apart: [9:02] Alex talks about the power of saying no. [16:56] Kate talks about why setting baseline standards is important, as opposed to creating the client expectation of going above and beyond. [29:57] Kate shares a cautionary tale about scaling. [40:38] Erika tells about how she learned not to spend her client’s money as if it were her own money as a luxury designer. [44:03] Jennifer shares her origin story and how it tested not only her business, but her marriage. [56:35] Alex explains the hard-earned lesson of assumptions—when it comes to your team and your clients. LuAnn Nigara, Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso&#39;s Ah-Ha Moments “If you find yourself in a position of not being able to define—if not your niche, at least your ideal client—then you might be in that pattern of the of the yes mode. And life gets a lot better, and the job gets a lot more fun, when you&#39;re able to identify your ideal clients.” - Kate O’Hara “When you&#39;re giving somebody something for free, they need to know about it.” - LuAnn Nigara “Document. Document. Document. Write everything down. And then don&#39;t just hold on to it, but make sure you share it, or it&#39;s in a place where it can be accessed [by your co-workers] if you&#39;re not available.” - Alex Alonso “If you want a business to scale, neither you nor anyone else can be irreplaceable.” - Kate O’Hara “You will arrive, but it may be via a different mode of transportation…I think keeping that in mind, prevents you from trying to model someone else&#39;s process and really staying true and authentic to making this business part of your lifestyle.” - Erika Ward “What is meant to be is meant to be, and that was always meant to be part of my journey. So I can&#39;t hide my head in the sand about it. I just have to take my lumps and move on.” - Jennifer Stoner “The larger you let your business grow into that, the more challenging it can be, I think, to steer a change, you know, the ship keeps getting bigger, it&#39;s a little less nimble now to turn and shift.” - Kate O’Hara “There really is no perfect business. There are stagnant businesses. There are struggling businesses. But I think that if you have an abundance mindset—if you&#39;re open, if you&#39;re self reflective, if you&#39;re proactive—then you&#39;ll always find yourself on

958: Overheard: What I Wish I Knew Then: With Kate O’Hara, Erika Ward, Jennifer Stoner, and Alex Alonso

Get Started

Download the App