Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Damn Good Designer, where Cheryl and Liz of In Detail Interiors will share invaluable insights on building your successful design business with no topic off the table. Today they focus on a successful initial consultation. It might surprise you what Cheryl refuses to do or discuss when meeting the client for the first time. So, "Get ready to challenge the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary!” Stay tuned to the end to hear this episode's Damn Good Truth!   IN THIS EPISODE: [00:23] Cheryl welcomes listeners to the inaugural episode of their podcast. How does our initial consultation work [02:03] A description of the discovery call and what gets Liz excited about a new lead [06:07] What is said to a new client about what the firm does not do  [11:00] Cheryl loves to do initial consultations with no prep and strives to find out the client's real needs [14:40] Questions we ask, how we listen to the client and whether the client is aware of what the market in their neighborhood warrants [21:13] Cheryl discusses what other designers do and critical questions most clients don’t consider [27:16] How to wrap up the visit with the client regarding details and budget [30:30] Cheryl’s damn good truth for this episode    KEY TAKEAWAYS: Cheryl’s goals in her first consultation are to make the client feel comfortable and excited about the project and to infuse  “expert in the room” confidence Key element to all initial consultations is the success of the discovery call Why this is one of Cheryl’s favorite aspects of a new project and making it yours too How repetition is key to making sure there is no mistake with the client’s understanding of the consultation process and how we work    Sponsored By : The Design Paradigm   Building your business one layer at a time. The Real deal in running a successful business with a proven model. A comprehensive and Powerful Business Model for https://www.theinteriordesignparadigm.com   RESOURCE LINKS: Damn Good Designer - Website The Design Paradigm - Website Join the conversation on our Facebook Group : Small Business Think Big   ABOUT THE HOSTS:  Cheryl Kees Clendenon 2021 KBB Person of the Year 2022 Design Studio winner Dallas Arts Awards 2021 Changemaker Design Hounds 200 or so years ago, a child came roaring into the world feet first, ready to show up and argue a cause. Just because. Her mother still maintains the story is- she was screaming-“Why?”- from the minute she landed the wrong side up and slapped the doctor for disturbing her afternoon nap. To this day, she does not give “it” a rest except when she is sleeping, which is where you will find her only between 2 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. A belligerent non-smoker (in case you were wondering) and a frequent challenger of anything that resembles “normal” or desired by the masses, Cheryl is a natural-born contrarian who talks...