Welcome to today's episode of A Well Designed Business! We have Courtney McLeod, the principal of Right Meets Left Interior Design in New York City, with us on the show today. Courtney has come to interior design as a second career. So even though she has always been passionate about the decorative arts, she first obtained a business degree from the Warden School at the University of Pennsylvania, and then pursued a successful, fifteen-year career in the financial services industry, where she rose to the role of a leading portfolio manager in real estate private equity before exercising her true passion for designing beautiful interiors. Listen in today to find out how Courtney used both the skills she gained through her experience, and her transferable skills, enhanced with her design-related studies at Parsons Pratt and the New York School of Interior Design, to confidently embark on a new career course. An avid colorist at heart, Courtney draws from a kaleidoscopic toolbox of texture, pattern, and color to create rooms evocative of one emotion above all others - joy. Her designs express both her client's unique tastes and her vivid, collected aesthetic.  Born and raised in New Orleans, Courtney brings a sophisticated view to her rooms, informed by her Creole background and extensive travels throughout Europe and Asia. She resides in the vibrant Harlem neighborhood, a wonderful source of inspiration. She has lived in New York City for two decades but remains a Southerner at heart. Listen in to find out more. Show highlights: It takes time to figure out your specific process. Your confidence you will gain from having your system in place is really a huge benefit. The development of Courtney's process was not a straight line from A to B- it took trial and error to figure out what really worked. Working out what worked for her rather than for the client was like a magic moment for Courtney. Courtney shares a really important and effective way to gain the trust of your client. A softer touch works for Courtney, yet she also has to be firm. Courtney also developed a lot of confidence from embracing her style clearly and entirely. Happy, joyful color is really Courtney's thing. Having confidence in her process allowed Courtney to develop more creative confidence. The six steps of Courtney's process. Courtney explains her phase one, and how to implement it. About Courtney's 'Rules Of The Road' document. What's to be found in Courtney's welcome packet. The way that having a retainer protects Courtney. The way Courtney sets up her spreadsheet. It takes a lot of practice to get things right. The clear way that Courtney prices her projects. How to keep your clients informed and empowered. What the closure meeting means to Courtney. The goal of the closure meeting is to get a referral. Previous episodes mentioned in this episode: Erica Ward #6 Monique Holmes #365 Rachel Cannon #306 Nicole Heymer #317 Curio Electro #125 Links: Website: Right Meets Left Interior Design Instagram: Right Meets Left Interior Design Twitter: Right Meets Left LinkedIn: Right Meets Left Interior Design Facebook: Right Meets Left Interior Design LuAnn's 3rd birthday party for the podcast is coming up and Kravet is hosting the party! It will be on February the 5th at the Kravet Showroom at the D&D Building in New York City. Please RSVP through the Event-Brite link at Luann Nigara.