Ask The Expert

from North 32nd News, November 2018

by Independent Newsmedia Inc., USA

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ASK THE Interior Design EXPERT

KALEN’S PLACE ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

By K alen Mehlm an O w ner of K alen’s Place Interior Design

Q. What should I look for when hiring an interior designer?

A. “Initial Consultations” with an in terior designer or two is a key element in determining which designer is right for the scope, style, and size of your project. Finding someone that quickly understands your home’s aesthetic, honors the budget you’re working within, and is competent in how to create or add to what you currently have is essential. That person should be intuitive to your style, needs/wants, and direction. As the client, you should feel comfortable communicating what you’re wanting to do within your home and have full confidence this profes sional is willing and capable to move forward in that direction.

Q. How can I make updates to my home without doing a complete design overhaul?

A. Many times, people feel that in order to “update” their home, they need to start from scratch. Rest as sured… this is not the case! There are simple ways to incorporate fresh, trendy design elements without spending a fortune while still keep ing with the aesthetic of the home and reusing or respacing well-loved pieces. As an interior designer, I’ve worked with numerous clients want ing to update areas of their homes in phases. This allows us to focus on one space in the home, create a plan/ budget, and move forward with that specific area. Then on to the next I have been lucky enough to work with many of my clients for years, simply updating when time and bud get permit.

Q. How can I get the greatest impact with my budget?

A. As an interior designer, my goal is to be as resourceful for my clients as possible. Finding unique places to shop that offer quality and interesting pieces for those on a budget is one of my priorities.

There are many local shops such as Home Goods, Cost Plus World Mar ket, Target, Ikea, home boutiques and vintage stores that offer an extraordi nary scope of trendy, budget-friendly, and interesting items. You can also find a wealth of online design sources such as Wayfair, oss ain, Ama zon, Lulu Georgia and Dot Bo. Currently “home design” is in the market forefront which means that these businesses primary focus is on providing the trendiest and most updated home fashions out there.

Q. What are simple ways to update on a budget?

A. When it comes to simple home updates I often recommend finding new rugs, various textured/patterned pillows, fresh paint colors, or reupholstering chairs and/or sofas. Creating a gallery wall by simply printing either favorite family photos or downloading interesting images is also a unique and budget-friendly way to add visual interest to your home. Change out your lighting with a new table lamp or two… or even a new, funky chandelier. Stop off at a vintage store and see what they currently have displayed. Plants (real or fake) are one of the most popu lar design trends currently. Most local and online shops are regularly offering seasonal or holiday discounts, free shipping, and offers for adding yourself to an email list. Keep your eyes open for those opportunities.

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TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR EMPLOYEE HOLIDAY PARTY hanksgiving is just ahead of 2. Allow employees to get to know to choose one. ajority date wins rants book out by m id N ove mber!) us and many employers are each other on a personal note, not just • Send a “Save The Date” – you can • Local ve nue - Suppor ting l ocal ve nalready stressing and focus- business. More importantly, it allows text this, email this or get fancy and set ues suppor ts the com munity! ing on end-of-year holiday parties them to get to you know, the boss, on a cards on everyone’s desk. Whatever you for their staff. Why stressed? Simple; more personal note – which builds trust. do, employees need time to plan ahead FOOD company parties involve a lot of plan- (i.e. get a sitter, coordinate with spouse, • Cater to l ocation ning, they’re expensive and due to the 3. Shows gratitude. By incorporat- shop for an outfit and a small gift . • Potluck holidays, many employees have other ing som e type of employe e recogni- • Sit-dow n dinner style commitments – so attendance is never tion into the hol iday party, employe es SET THE BUDGET a guarantee. However, that shouldn’t feel valued and gr ateful. Throw ing a • Set a m aximum budge t for the event SEND OUT INVITATIONS be a discouragement. Below are three party sho ws them they are valuable as • Choos e party e ssentials • Set a firm RSVP date so you order simple reasons you should have a people, not just something you throw • A dinner is sufficient, but if you want the appropriate amount of food. holiday party. a check at for a ye ar-end bonus . to add e ntertainment, that shoul d be in the budge t HAVE FUN! 1. It builds culture. Most compa- So now that it’s settled to ha ve one … • Put a little extra aside – for incidentals nies in this day in age are working on what are the next steps? Looking for a unique venue w ith fun establishing, growing or reinforcing a DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF activities for your holiday party? Craft culture within. The holiday party is a COMPANY HOLIDAY PARTY PARTY N ights is a BYO B, w om en-ow ned DIY fun and low-key way to demonstrate CHECKLIST • Dinner party or luncheon? arts and crafts studio in Phoenix. Craft to staff members what you are really Go on, c ut it out and ge t started • Activity include d ( bow ling, ice skat- N ights offers space that can accom about. Bring out key elements of your (or give it to your bos s if you’ re an ing, e tc) m odate up to 24 w hile providing a fun company culture within the party and employe e wanting a com pany party). craft as an activity - norm ally string hone in on employee recognition. Hav VENUE art, because it’s all the craze. Cater ing a company party shows your staff SET A DATE • Office food in, relax and have fun. Em ail that you value their happiness and want • Pick a couple of date options and send • Hom e hello@ craftnights.com or call 602-341to create a fun place for them to work. an email out to employees asking them • Restaurant (start early, m any restau- 3570 and ask for H eidi to inquire.

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BUSINESS

4 WAYS FAMILY BUSINESSES CAN THRIVE THROUGH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS hile public corporations attract more media “Just because a business model or product has worked “And re-educating yourself and others is an invaluable attention, family businesses also make a ma in the past doesn’t mean it will continue to do so,” quality to growing the family business. jor impact on the .S. and world economies. Baassiri says. “Stagnancy or struggle provide an opportunity to negotiate a different path. Family EMBRACE AND ENGINEER CHANGE Family firms comprise more than half of all .S. businesses need to confront market realities and Change in the demand for products or services is companies and generate at least 50 percent of consider disruptive new things in order to move inevitable to most any family business. “There are the nation’s gross domestic product, according to forward.” no limits to reinventing yourself or your family the Harvard Business School. And two-thirds of business,” Baassiri says. “Our family embraced businesses around the world are family-owned, The Baassiri provides four ways family businesses can change by investing in and developing our businesses. Family Firm Institute reports. survive and grow from generation to generation: For example, we moved from land cultivation to The flip side About percent of family-owned CULTIVATE ENTREPRENEURS businesses in the U.S. and worldwide fail, or are sold, A big challenge for family businesses is making CARRY STRONG VALUES FORWARD before the second generation can assume ownership. sure everyone from different generations is heard. Good values sustain family businesses, Baassiri says, And only 10-15 percent make it to generation three. “Sometimes the creativity and innovation of the because they can be constant and recognizable to newest generation is all that stands between success customers, no matter the amount of change in the “Family business that do survive are the ones willing and failure,” Baassiri says. marketplace. “You can’t live trying to fill the footsteps to keep an eye on new horizons,” says Ram z Baassiri, of those who went before you,” Baassiri says. “All author of Interrupted Entrepreneurship: Embracing BUILD ON YOUR CORE you can do is live the values your parents taught and Change in the Family Business (www.ramezbaassiri. Baassiri says the core elements of running a family what the business was founded upon, teach them and com). business – how to evaluate a balance sheet, review continue them while seeking to move ahead.” a marketing plan, and initiate an advertising process engineering over multiple generations.” Baassiri, who helps run a multi-generational, multi- – should be grasped by multiple family members in “When a family business grows,” Baassiri says, “it is national family business, says being open to change order to build a solid structure. “You need to have that because the family members aren’t looking at it as a and innovation is one key to keeping a business core knowledge that can be carried from one family cow to milk, but as a whole farm that they can work relevant and successful throughout generations. business and generation to another,” Baassiri says. together.”

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