1193: What Would Lu Do?: Listener Question: Buying an Existing Interior Design Business, What to Know

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara

Design, Business, Arts

4.9 • 810 Ratings

🗓️ 19 May 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today With LuAnn Nigara: What happens when you have the opportunity to buy an established interior design business? And more importantly… How do you honor someone’s legacy while still protecting yourself financially? In this episode, LuAnn answers a thoughtful listener question from Hannah Textor, a newer designer navigating a potential transition with a long-time designer nearing retirement. She explains the questions to ask before acquiring a design business: What actually gives a business transferable value? What financials should you review? How do you evaluate client retention risk? What happens if everything lives in the owner’s head? And how do you structure a deal that is fair, realistic, and sustainable? This conversation goes far beyond valuations and contracts. It’s about understanding the difference between a busy business and a profitable one, recognizing hidden liabilities, and learning why trust is often the most valuable asset being transferred. If you’ve ever considered buying a design firm, selling one, or transitioning a legacy business, this episode will help you ask smarter questions before making a major decision. Have a Question for WWLD? Head to: 👉 ⁠luannigara.com/WWLD⁠ Submit your question and it might be featured in an upcoming episode. 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 What’s new with LuAnn Nigara: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the Docuseries!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.luannnigara.com/cob⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To Get on LuAnn’s Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! 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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Do you know what I notice when I talk to you, especially if you're a designer at the top of your
0:05.7	game, right? You're consistently closing high-end bathroom projects because you understand
0:10.5	something other designers might miss. You understand that it isn't just about specifying
0:16.6	beautiful tile, plumbing fixtures, and lighting. It's also about giving your client a compelling
0:22.4	reason to say yes to the investment. And right now, steam and sauna are becoming part of that
0:29.9	reason. Your clients are right now talking about wellness differently. They want spaces that help
0:36.9	them recover, recharge, and feel good in their
0:39.7	homes, not just beautiful spaces, beautiful spaces that are also useful spaces, restorative spaces.
0:47.3	And that's why I think Mr. Steam is doing something especially smart for you. They've been making
0:53.2	steam systems since 1917, but what I really
0:56.9	appreciate is the virtual spa tool they created especially for the industry. You enter the shower
1:03.2	dimensions, the wall materials, and your client's wish list, and it gives you a complete spec package
1:09.1	with list pricing. No guesswork. No endless back and forth.
1:12.7	No trying to cobble together the right system yourself. Now go to Luannigara.com
1:20.1	forward slash Mr. Steam. Right. Luannigara.com forward slash Mr.em. And if you are working with clients right now who care
1:29.2	about health, wellness, fitness, and recovery, this is worth 10 minutes of your time.
1:51.5	Welcome to a well-designed business. My name is Luann Nigara, and I'm so glad you found this podcast. Together with my husband Vince and our partner Bill, we have grown our company
1:56.3	Window Works from the ground up, so I know and I understand the challenges you face in running your
2:02.8	interior design business. I also know that your talent alone isn't enough to ensure your success.
2:09.5	So on this podcast, we talk about strategies and practical steps to help you grow your business.
2:15.9	But make no mistake about it, we have our share of fun here too, mixed in with those
2:20.5	aha moments that I love so much.
	...

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