February 2009

On behalf of everyone at Anita Holland Interiors I hope this email finds you well and that your 2009 is off to a good start. There are a few things at our firm that I'd like to keep you updated on. Currently, we are working on revamping our email newsletter and website, adjusting to some staff changes and additions to the team, and working to incorporate a number of things that we learned at the Best Practices Interior Design conference this past Fall in Las Vegas. This year expect a newsletter on a monthly basis, an updated website, and a few new names and faces around our studio that I will introduce you to in next month's newsletter.

In this newsletter, I'd like to give you some background on David Shepherd, who runs the conference and is President and CEO of Designing Profits, and how it is impacting our business. I initially crossed paths with David through a newspaper editorial; he has been the catalyst and mentor for one of our biggest internal learning curves to date. In June of 2004, I read a thought-provoking article written by David Shepherd addressing the interior design profession entitled "A Prescription for Profit". I was excited and found comfort in knowing that people were taking the interior design business seriously. I tore out the article, did some research on the web, and in a matter of minutes had a screen full of information on David. I learned that he is the author of Your Business or Your Life - a book about teaching business owners the basic principles of success in business and life. It was while teaching students about these principles that he became intrigued by the changing nature and complexity of the interior design profession and founded Best Practices Network which consists of 100 interior designers nationwide who meet on a regular basis to learn and share best practices. The group is comprised of design firms from coast to coast, ranging from sole proprietors to 30+ person firms. As President and CEO of Designing Profits, Inc. David has built his Business of Design Conference into the fastest growing conference in the interior design industry, and coined the term "serious business for serious designers" to describe his focus in consulting and conferences. In September I attended my fourth annual Business of Design Conference, but this year I took my husband, Don, and our son, Boyd. Having three attendees made it possible to attend all of the featured presentations, discussions, and breakout sessions. We learned about project management, marketing strategies, technologies/resources, and even work-life balance.

We are busy and looking forward to the upcoming year. I think you will like the changes we are making and I am confident that it will continue to improve how we serve our clients.

If you have any questions let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anita

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