1174: Joann Kandrac & Kelly Kole: How to Build a Business Partnership That Lasts

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara

Design, Business, Arts

4.9 • 810 Ratings

🗓️ 13 March 2026

⏱️ 82 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today With Kandrac & Kole: What does it actually take to stay in business with someone for more than two decades? In this episode, Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Interior Design share what has sustained their 21-year business partnership. And no, it’s not just friendship. We talk about defined roles, decision-making authority, handling disagreement without ego, and the operational discipline that supports long-term success. This is not a conversation about “getting along.” It’s about structure. If you’re in a partnership, considering one, or leading a growing team, this episode will challenge you to examine how clearly roles are defined, how conflict is handled, and whether your leadership habits are protecting your business or quietly limiting it. Partnership is not chemistry. It’s clarity, accountability, and shared standards. Listen in and decide how you want to lead. More About Kandrac & Kole: Voted among Atlanta’s Top 20 Residential Interior Designers by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Kandrac & Kole has gained national recognition on HGTV and in publications including The New York Times, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Home Magazine, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Kandrac & Kole are known for their friendly, energetic personalities, their unique use of color and pattern, and their bespoke designs. Joann and Kelly, experts in residential and commercial design, share engaging stories about their design projects, travels, and personal experiences on their podcast Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole, as well as through their popular blog and national speaking engagements. Their passion for interior design extends to their charity work in the U.S. and Guatemala. Connect with Kandrac & Kole: Website Blog Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole Podcast Instagram Facebook Pinterest What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. Purchase LuAnn’s Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara: LuAnn’s Website LuAnn’s Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: This podcast supports the Savvy Giving Design Coalition. Learn more about it here! AWDB #717 Susan Wintersteen: Interior design firm standards in a nonprofit passion project AWDB #164: Susan Wintersteen- Savvy Giving by Design Other Shows Mentioned: Episode 616 Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole: Onboarding New Interior Design Clients

Transcript

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0:00.0	My DOMA Studio is your complete designer toolkit.
0:04.8	You know this, right?
0:06.0	My DOMA makes it easy to streamline your processes, track your projects, communicate with clients, and just get organized.
0:12.6	It is created by designers for designers, specifically to address what you need as a design business owner.
0:20.2	My DOMA is now together with Studio Designer and they are the industry leading solution.
0:25.0	With 20,000 plus users, more designers choose their platform than any other.
0:32.3	Are you ready to reach the next level of profitability and efficiency?
0:37.0	Book a demo with My Doma Studio today
0:39.2	by going to mydoma studio.com forward slash Luan. That's mydomostud business. My name is Luann Nygaara, and I'm so glad you found this
1:04.9	podcast. Together with my husband Vince and our partner Bill, we have grown our company
1:09.7	Window Works from the ground up.
1:11.5	So I know and I understand the challenges you face in running your interior design business.
1:17.9	I also know that your talent alone isn't enough to ensure your success. So on this podcast,
1:24.1	we talk about strategies and practical steps to help you grow your business.
1:29.3	But make no mistake about it, we have our share of fun here too, mixed in with those aha
1:34.3	moments that I love so much. This isn't fluff. Nobody has time for that. Whether you are a new
1:40.3	interior designer or a season designer, I am here to help you create and to manage the kind
1:46.1	of interior design firm that you dream of. It's straight talk and its action. Are you ready? Let's get
1:52.2	started. Hi, welcome to a well-designed business. Today, I am joined again by two women who
2:00.3	truly understand what it means
2:02.0	to build a partnership that lasts. Joanne Kandrak and Kelly Cole of Kandrak and Kohl
2:07.1	interior design have been business partners for more than 21 years, not five, not 10, 21.
	...

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