Design Strategies 101

Here at AB HOME we have been working on developing various workshops that benefit graduating students coming out of design school, homeowners who would like simple design solutions at an affordable price, and workshops that help the D.I.Y's jump start their home projects. After months of preparation and considerations, we are very excited to introduce AB HOME Interior's:

1. Collaborative Design Workshops

AB HOME Interiors

Offering you the opportunity to achieve quality home design by teaming up with one of

AB HOME Interior's interns, at a fraction of the cost; all while under the guidance and supervision of an experienced design professional.

Our mission with this workshop is to provide new design professionals with "real world" experience in a nurturing environment, and you the homeowner with a room that truly reflects "who you are",

at an unbelievable price.

2. D.I.Y. Decorating workshops

Like doing your own home projects, but don't know where to start? Let us teach you

AB HOME Interior's award winning design strategies, to help you achieve design success.

AB HOME Interior's introduces Design Strategies 101 for the do-it-yourselfer.

Our mission is to provide the homeowner the necessary tools and expertise needed to complete the job on their own, all with our proven interior design techniques.

We are thrilled to finally be launching these exciting new programs.

If you would like more information,

or would like to sign-up for our classes starting in August,

please contact us @

info@abhomeinteriors.com

You can also contact us @

615-750-2763

If you are a Design graduate or Design Senior in our area,

and would like to sign up for our Bootcamp workshops

for the opportunity to work in the Collaborative Design Workshops,

please email Christian @

Christian@abhomeinteriors.com

Diva event, April 24th!

Come join AB HOME Interiors April 24th, from 10am-12pm for our first ever, DIVA event.

Conveniently located in Cool Springs

7104 Crossroads Blvd Ste 108

Brentwood TN 37027

615-750-2763

Art for the sake of Art

I remember a year ago my hair stylist telling me she didn't understand the "hype" over art, and she did not understand the concept of spending thousands of dollars on an art piece. I told her that every piece was unique and each piece doesn't effect everyone in the same way. While on a trip to Arkansas my stylist went to a small folk town and visited the local shops. She was immediately smitten with a sculpture in an art studio totaling more than three thousand dollars. She had never encountered anything that moved her so much. She said her knees went weak, and she had tears in her eyes. She said the emotion, movement, and feeling it gave her was indescribable. At that moment she joined the obsession, Art for Arts Sake. To this day she admires that piece in her bedroom. The feeling has not changed, and she is so respectful now of all things art.

One of my most passionate obsessions is art. I can't exactly afford this obsession, but luckily I can admire it from afar. Art can take on so many meanings, and so easily move you, simply because of the color, movement, or arrangement. I have started commissioning local artists to show their work in my studio. Two of my favorites are Marabeth Quinn and Kirk Seufert.

You can view more at AB Home Interiors

Being an entrepreneur

Being a business owner, designer, shop manager, janitor, accountant, and everything in between can be a daunting task. I often wonder how other women do it, especially when they have children. I tend to hone in on one thing and I am ruthless in my endeavors to make it succeed. So how is it that other women can be a loving wife, mother, business owner and friend before calling it a day?

I choose to make lists. I feel more organized by doing this. They don't always work but I make the effort to be as organized as my counterparts. But as I sit here and think about all the things I wish I had in order to morph into wonder woman, I realized that the best thing about this blog is our connection.

What do you do to make each day easier?

How do you stay on track and stick to your "to-do's"?

What is your best quick tip for running your business?

What do you do each day to break away for a few moments of peace?

Let us know your thoughts on what makes your day tick.

Desperate Times equal Desperate business?

I have learned over the years that attitude is everything. So what do you do after a year or more of slumping sales, a downward economy and a new kind of savvy coupon shopper? By shear determination we have hung on by our fingernails. Recently it was brought to my attention that our newsletters, flyers, mailers, and up to date info about our company are seemingly desperate! *GASP* Despite a positive attitude, and a jolly outlook that it would get better, the days have turned into months which has now turned into a year and so on. I have found myself worn out, jaded and out of ideas. Did I know that my newsletters, flyers and up to date info were on a downward spiral showing to the world that I was worn out and jaded? No. But they were mirroring my own personal feelings on a subconscious level without me realizing it.

With this new found "a-ha" I set out to make a change. Little did I know I would quickly fall right back into my pattern and head down desperate road. So what do you do after a year or more of slumping sales, a downward economy and a new kind of savvy coupon shopper? Hire a consultant. Get outside feedback. The chain of command or shall I say pattern will not change without some outside influence. It may be harsh, and you may not want to hear it, but if you don't you will end up in the downward spiral with no way out until desperation turns ugly.

You may say to yourself that you cannot afford a consultant. You may say you don't need one. Well I say you can't afford not to, and if you are reading this, like me, you need to get out of your desperate times.

Remember as individuals we mirror our surroundings. We are in an increasing environment of lack, less is more, and survival. Pay attention while you watch TV. Count the commercials that focus on saving more, get more for your money and roll back pricing. As business owners we mirror this mentality and in turn get desperate for that savvy coupon shopper that drains us, and allows us to get jaded and tired. A consultant can give you outside answers. They can step back and look from the outside in, without emotion and the "yea but" syndrome. We are personally invested in our business's. We don't want to be told that we are doing it wrong and we don't want to hear the ugly truths of our horrible reoccurring patterns down desperate vs prosperous road. Get a consultant.

I believe whole heartedly that an outside influence will change the way you look at your daily business, and the verbiage you use to sell it. Instead of 'yea but' and 'I cant because' you will learn to step back and say 'ok how' and 'I can with'. It will open your eyes to a whole different, and BETTER reality of business.

Social media solutions

So sorry for the lack of attention I have given this blog. I thought that my slacker friend Kristen would contribute, but she is apparently a lackey. Thats what happens when you give an associate a bottle of booze and a little quiet time.

I just returned from High Point market. What a treat. Very tiring but when there is free booze and sandwiches (can we say TWO of my favorite things) its hard not to make it into something 20 thousand more times special and enjoyable. Not to mention all the free pens, tape measures and slippers! Yes, I said SLIPPERS. When your feet hurt that bad, slippers are just the thing.

I went to several seminars and the trend in speeches was the increasing popularity in social media. Blogging, twitter, facebook, linked in, and many others. Even iTunes makes it easy for a user to create their own podcasts. How great is that? Well I really enjoyed all the tips and tricks, but I think the most valuable tip I learned was this:

1)Keeping up with social media as a business owner is very time consuming and difficult to keep up with on a regular business. Have your interns put together a list of topics for the next three months. Then all you have to do is fill in the blanks.

2)Another great tip. Have every person on your staff contribute to the company blog, tweets, and company facebook wall. It creates a personal connection with everyone around you and allows people to get to know who you really are and what makes you tick.

And don't panic if you don't have staff or interns to help you with these things. Create staff. Maybe your cat, or young child can be a contributor. Make it fun and light. Everyone finds comfort and giggles in something unexpected. And the best part is you will grow your following and company!!

Self-Promotion is Not a Dirty Word - WomenEntrepreneur.com

Self-Promotion is Not a Dirty Word - WomenEntrepreneur.com

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