Window Treatments for Profit with LuAnn Nigara - podcast cover

Window Treatments for Profit with LuAnn Nigara

LuAnn Nigarasites.libsyn.com
This podcast is specifically designed for window treatment professionals. If you are interested in doing what you do better, whether you are a retailer, installer, workroom, sales rep or from our industry partner community, you have found your people. We are going to talk about sales, marketing, hiring, efficiency, productivity and of course, profitability. Because why do any of it if you are not profitable, right? My name is LuAnn Nigara and I have been in the window treatment industry for 4 decades. With my husband Vince and our cousin Bill Campesi we’ve built our business, Window Works, from start up to over 4 million dollars in annual sales and to a team of 15. Vin, Bill and myself are also part of the ownership team at Exciting Windows. Exciting Windows is the industry leader in mentoring, supporting and inspiring window treatment professionals to build a better business. So I get you, I know what you do. I have spent my career doing it with you. So how about we get started making your business better, shall we?
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Episodes

325: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales – Part 6: Taking “Maybe” as a Yes

Today With LuAnn Nigara: “Maybe” feels polite. Safe. Hopeful. But in sales? It’s a silent killer. In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, I break down the 6th Deadly Sales Sin: mistaking vague responses for real opportunities. You’ll learn why “maybe” doesn’t pay the bills, how to stop waiting in limbo, and the exact scripts to lead your client to a clear yes—or an honest no. If your pipeline is full of “we’ll think about it,” this is your wake-up call. Listen now and take back your pow...

Jun 30, 202521 min

324: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales – Part 5: Avoiding the Close

Today With LuAnn Nigara: If you're doing beautiful consultations and still walking away without a signed agreement—this episode is for you. In Part 5 of our “7 Deadly Sales Sins” series, LuAnn breaks down one of the most costly mistakes sales professionals make: Avoiding the Close. You’ll learn why clients actually want to be guided to a decision, how to confidently ask for the business without feeling salesy, and what practical steps you can take today to lead your consults with clarity and res...

Jun 23, 202517 min

323: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales – Part 4: Being a Chameleon

Today With LuAnn Nigara: In Part 4 of our solo sales series, LuAnn tackles a sneaky but costly sales habit: being a chameleon. It’s what happens when you adjust your tone, your process—or even your pricing—just to stay in the client’s comfort zone. The problem? You’re not leading the sale anymore… you’re following it. In this episode, LuAnn breaks down: The difference between empathetic communication and giving away your power How trying to be “easy to work with” can quietly weaken your value Re...

Jun 16, 202521 min

322: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales – Part 3: Feature Dumping

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Today we’re tackling one of the sneakiest sales habits out there—Feature Dumping. Yep, this one shows up when you think you’re impressing your client with all the bells and whistles...but what you’re really doing is overwhelming them and missing the mark. Here’s the truth: your clients don’t want a product pitch. They want a solution. They want to know how your expertise—and the beautiful window treatments you deliver—will improve their life, their home, and their peace ...

Jun 09, 202524 min

321: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales – Part 2: Avoiding the Budget Talk

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Are you tiptoeing around the money conversation—and wondering why your quotes are landing with crickets? In Part 2 of our special series, LuAnn breaks down one of the most common (and costly) sales mistakes: Avoiding the budget talk. She explains why staying silent doesn’t create comfort—it creates doubt. And how floating a confident investment range early in the consult builds trust, transparency, and bigger closes. This episode is packed with real-world examples, minds...

Jun 02, 202523 min

320: What Would Lu Do?: The 7 Deadly Sins That are Killing Your Sales - Part 1

Today With LuAnn Nigara: You’ve got the product knowledge, the design skills, and the consults on your calendar—but if you’re still leading with product instead of process, you’re leaving money on the table. In this episode, LuAnn kicks off a powerful new solo series: The 7 Deadly Sales Sins, based on the real-world coaching she does every week with Exciting Windows! pros. Today’s sin? Leading with the Product. And to illustrate just how costly this habit can be, she walks you through one common...

May 26, 202522 min

319: What Would Lu Do?: How to Sell Like a Pro: The Sales Questions That Turn Maybes Into Yeses

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Today, we dive into the fundamental truth that questions are the answers in sales, inspired by sales master Tom Hopkins. Learn how to transform your sales approach by asking strategic questions that create connections, clarity, and commitment with your clients. We’ll emphasize the importance of continuous learning and offer practical tips for improving your sales process. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this ...

May 19, 202526 min

318: What Would Lu Do?: Exactly What to Ask on a Discovery Call: Sales Questions That Actually Work

Today With LuAnn Nigara: If you’ve ever fumbled your way through a discovery call or wondered why some leads ghost you after that first conversation—this episode is for you. LuAnn breaks down five strategic questions every window treatment pro should be asking on a discovery call—plus the real reason behind each one. Inspired by the sales genius of Phil M. Jones and enriched by a powerful real-life story from Matt Cobb inside the Exciting Windows! mastermind, this episode is all about selling sm...

May 05, 202528 min

317: What Would Lu Do?: Business Bravery: How to Take Action Despite Fear and Overwhelm

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Every entrepreneur faces moments where fear and overwhelm stop you in your tracks. In this powerful episode, LuAnn Nigara dismantles the myth of fearlessness and introduces her proven "Business Bravery" approach developed over 40+ years of entrepreneurship. You'll learn practical strategies to take action despite uncertainty, including the morning intention that transformed LuAnn's business mindset and concrete steps to move beyond paralyzing self-doubt. Featuring real-w...

Apr 28, 202520 min

316: What Would Lu Do?: How to Qualify Leads Without Disqualifying Your Future Revenue

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Hey friends—today we’re getting real about a critical part of running a profitable business: qualifying leads. Because let’s be honest—most of us are either letting go of clients who could have been ideal, or we’re wasting precious time on ones that were never a good fit to begin with. In this episode, I’m sharing three real-world stories from my own business journey that reveal the hidden opportunities in client interactions you might be misjudging. These aren’t hypothe...

Apr 21, 202541 min

315: Leslie Excell: From Workroom to Vision Magazine: How to Build a Window Treatment Business Interior Designers Can Rely On

Today With Leslie Excell: In this episode of A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn is joined by interior designer and entrepreneur Leslie Excell, founder of Excell Design + Co, for an honest, grounded, and inspiring conversation about building a business rooted in clarity, boundaries, and heart. Leslie shares the pivotal moments that helped her reshape her business—from learning to say “no” without guilt, to letting go of the comparison trap, to honoring her own definition of success. She opens up abo...

Apr 14, 20251 hr 9 min

314: What Would Lu Do?: How to Attract High-End Window Treatment Clients by Speaking to Their Priorities—Not Their Wallets

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Are you stuck speaking price while your dream clients are listening for value? In this episode of A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn gets real about how to elevate your messaging to match the elevated clientele you’re trying to attract. She walks you through the subtle yet powerful mindset and language shifts that can position you as the go-to expert for high-end window treatment projects—without ever having to “sell.” LuAnn dives into: The one perspective shift that will c...

Apr 07, 202538 min

313: What Would Lu Do?: 5 Traits Every Standout 7-Figure Window Treatment Entrepreneur Has in Common

Today With LuAnn Nigara: What separates the window treatment pros who build wealth from those who just build stress? In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the five non-negotiable traits I’ve seen in every successful entrepreneur I’ve interviewed, coached, or worked alongside. After 1,300+ podcast interviews, dozens of coaching clients, and decades building Window Works, one truth is clear: success isn’t magic—it’s math. It’s made of actions, habits, and decisions. Today, I’m walk...

Mar 31, 202526 min

312: Bound By Business: Amy Cramer: The Legal Side of Family Business

Today With Amy Cramer: In this special episode of our Bound By Business series, Jessica Harling sits down with Amy Cramer of Cramer Law Group to explore the essential legal structures family businesses need. Amy breaks down why proper documentation matters in succession planning, how to match estate plans with business documents, and the importance of clear roles and decision-making authority. This practical conversation covers everything from the dangers of nepotism to implementing appropriate ...

Mar 24, 20251 hr 6 min

311: What Would Lu Do?: Your Window Treatment Showroom Opening & Beyond—How to Build a Community Hub for Clients, Trades, and Partners

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Opening a window treatment showroom is more than just a ribbon-cutting—it’s the launch of a space that can become the heartbeat of your business. Done right, your window treatment showroom can evolve into a thriving community hub where clients, industry partners, and trade professionals come together. In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, I’m sharing proven strategies for making your showroom a destination—whether you’re planning your grand opening, celebratin...

Mar 17, 202534 minEp. 311

310: What Would Lu Do?: If You’re Tryin’, You Ain’t: It Takes Action to Build a Profitable Window Treatment Business

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Are you trying to grow your business, or are you actually doing it? In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, we’re tackling one of the biggest mindset shifts that separates successful business owners from those who stay stuck: the difference between trying and doing. Inspired by the Toby Keith song If You’re Tryin’, You Ain’t, this episode will challenge the way you think about hiring, pricing, sales, leadership, and decision-making. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✔️ ...

Mar 10, 202519 minEp. 310

309: Overheard: Inside a Window Treatment Mastermind: How 5 Experts Built a Powerhouse Support System

Today With Vita, Jill, Nikki, Julie, Leslie: Hi, welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. On today's episode, I'm joined by five powerhouse window treatment experts: Vita Vygovska, Leslie Excell, Jill Ballew, Julie Murphy, and Nikki Greenwood. For the past two years, they've been meeting monthly in their own mastermind group, sharing everything from financials to marketing strategies. More About Vita, Jill, Nikki, Julie, Leslie Nikki Greenwood: Nikki is the owner and lead designer of Savannah Wi...

Mar 03, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 309

308: Bound by Business: Tim Yurek: Succession Planning Made Simple: Ensuring a Smooth Transition Without Financial Strain

Today With Tim Yurek: Succession planning—it’s something every family business needs, but so many owners put off. In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, I’m bringing you a powerful conversation from our Bound by Business series, where Jessica Harling sits down with financial expert Tim Yurek to break down exactly how to plan for the future of your business without disrupting your present. Tim shares how business owners can uncover hidden cash flow, avoid common financial pitfalls, and ...

Feb 24, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 308

307: What Would Lu Do?: Part 4 – Ghosting: Unaddressed Concerns or Objections

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Over the past few episodes of Window Treatments for Profit, we’ve tackled the four biggest reasons why clients ghost: ✔ Not standing out as the expert ✔ Overwhelming them with too many choices (decision fatigue) ✔ Fear of making a costly mistake ✔ And now, in our final episode of this series—unaddressed concerns or objections. This episode dives into the silent hesitation that stops clients from saying "yes." When they don’t voice their doubts, they simply disappear. But...

Feb 17, 202550 minEp. 307

306: What Would Lu Do?: Part 3 – Ghosting: Fear of Making Mistakes

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Why do some clients disappear just when they seem ready to buy? In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, we’re tackling a major reason why potential clients ghost: fear of making a big mistake. Even the most excited clients can hesitate if they feel uncertain, uneducated, or afraid of regret. As the expert in the room, it's your job to recognize and ease these fears so they feel confident moving forward. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ The four ways fear of mis...

Feb 10, 202542 minEp. 306

305: What Would Lu Do?: Ghosted After the Quote? The Pricing Conversation You’re Avoiding

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! We’ve been diving deep into the topic of ghosting—why clients disappear and how to stop it from happening. This was supposed to be Part 3 of our four-part series, but something happened... A listener, Beatriz, wrote in with a real-life scenario that perfectly ties into our topic. She got ghosted after sending a quote, and when she looked back at her process, she realized she never set a clear pricing expectation. And she’s not alo...

Feb 03, 202522 minEp. 305

304: What Would Lu Do?: Part 2: Why Clients Ghost - Decision Fatigue

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Are you losing clients because they feel overwhelmed by choices? In this episode of Window Treatments for Profit, we tackle decision fatigue—why it happens and how it can sabotage your sales process. Discover actionable strategies to: Simplify the decision-making process for your clients. Position yourself as the trusted expert they rely on. Secure sales while building lasting relationships. Don't miss these powerful insights to reduce client ghosting and take your consu...

Jan 27, 202525 minEp. 304

303: What Would Lu Do?: Here’s One Strategy to Overcome Client Ghosting

Today With LuAnn Nigara: If you’ve been in the window treatment business for any length of time, you’ve likely experienced this: you pour hours into a proposal or consultation, think you’ve nailed it, and then—silence. The client disappears, leaving you frustrated, confused, and wondering what went wrong. Let me assure you, ghosting isn’t about your worth as a person. But it is often about how you communicate your value as a professional. The good news? This is fixable. A Big THANK YOU to Today’...

Jan 20, 202522 minEp. 303

302: Bound by Business: Insights from Jessica Harling on Family Business Dynamics - Part 1

Today With Jessica Harling: Hi, welcome to Window Treatments For Profit! Today, Jessica and I recap the key insights from our 'Bound by Business' series. We’ll dive into the five invaluable lessons Jessica has learned from her experiences in family business dynamics. From navigating challenges to celebrating the unique joys of working together, we’ll explore the reality behind family businesses, the importance of setting boundaries, and how to communicate effectively. Join us for a candid discus...

Jan 13, 20251 hr 21 minEp. 302

301: What Would Lu Do?: How to Handle: Can You Lower Your Price?

Today With LuAnn Nigara: In this episode of "Window Treatments for Profit," I tackle a challenge many window treatment professionals face: the dreaded question, "Can you do better on the price?" Join me as I share my insights on pricing and the importance of understanding your value. I’ll guide you through the beliefs that shape your quotes and how to maintain confidence in your pricing strategy. Let’s dive into practical strategies to handle price objections and ensure you’re not undervaluing y...

Jan 06, 202528 minEp. 301

300: What Would Lu Do?: Teamwork, Trust, and Leadership: Lessons from Patrick Lencioni and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Today With LuAnn Nigara: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! Today, I’m diving into the vital elements of building a high-performing team, drawing insights from Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. We’ll explore the importance of trust, the role of healthy conflict, accountability, and focusing on collective results. If you’ve ever felt like your team just isn’t “gelling,” this episode is for you! Plus, I’ll share details about my upcoming workshop that will help you kick off...

Dec 23, 202422 minEp. 300

299: Amanda Smith: Lessons on the Power of Systems, Boundaries, and Collaboration

Today With Amanda Smith: Hi, welcome to Window Treatments for Profit! In this episode, we’re sitting down with Amanda Smith, a leader in the window treatment industry and co-founder of Seamless Workroom. From her start as a teacher to becoming a sought-after partner for interior designers, Amanda’s story is a testament to the power of systems, efficiency, and a commitment to quality. More About Amanda Smith Like many others in this business, I did not start out as a fabricator of window treatmen...

Dec 16, 20241 hr 2 minEp. 299

298: Theresa Harmon: Creating Success Through Connections, Richmond VA Chapter WCAA President

Today With Theresa Harmon: Join me in this inspiring episode as I chat with Theresa Harmon, the current president of the Richmond, Virginia WCAA chapter. Theresa shares her journey in the window covering industry and emphasizes the importance of discovering your "why." With a background in graphic design and a passion for creating, she discusses the challenges and joys of running her own business, from problem-solving design dilemmas to connecting with clients. We also dive into the supportive c...

Dec 09, 202447 minEp. 298

297: Bound by Business: Brandon Barton: Honoring the Family Legacy

Today With Brandon Barton: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit for another Bound by Business episode hosted by Jessica Harling. In today’s episode, Jessica interviews Brandon Barton of K to Z Window Coverings based in Louisiana. Brandon is a a 25-year veteran of the window treatments industry who took over the family business from his grandparents—and currently works closely with his brother and his wife. He’s here to share the lessons he’s learned from working with family, overcoming challe...

Dec 02, 20241 hr 16 minEp. 297

296: Lisa Jones: Full Circle from Struggling Business Owner to Atlanta Chapter WCAA President

Today With Lisa Jones: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. Today, I am excited to welcome Lisa Jones, owner of Lisa Jones Interiors and president of the Atlanta chapter of the WCAA. Lisa started her business 25 years ago, but at her 17th she reached a breaking point—she decided either she was going to close up shop or make a big shift in her business. After joining the WCAA and listening to A Well Designed Business along with other industry podcasts, Lisa discovered how to transform her bus...

Nov 25, 202459 minEp. 296
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