Michelle Lynne 0:02
Welcome to design for the creative mind, a podcast for interior designers and creative entrepreneurs to run their business with purpose, efficiency and passion. Because, well, every design is different, the process should remain the same. Prepare yourself for some good conversations with amazing guests, a dash of Jesus and a touch of the woowoo. And probably a swear word or two. If you're ready to stop trading your time for money, and enjoy your interior design business. You are in the right place. I'm your host, Michelle Lynn.
All right, so here we are in the studio, literally the design studio with Debbie and Megan. So we don't have a fancy podcasting studio setup. But we're here to tip today to talk to my team. I'm so excited to have you guys here. So thank you for joining me for the very first official design for the creative mind blown. As I mentioned in the introduction, I just thought that this would be a great way to kick things off. Because this is you guys are in the trenches every day. And while I'm there with you, you're doing the heavy lifting, and all of the hard work. So let's just start with Debbie, you've been with me for the longest, almost seven years at this point. So depending on when you're listening, it could be 17 years.
Debbie Pratt 1:38
Yeah. Keeping it very 2014.
Michelle Lynne 1:44
It was your start date? And golly, Boy, you've
Megan Fornes 1:46
seen a lot. Yes. A lot. A lot of growth. Yes. Thankfully,
Debbie Pratt 1:51
a lot of transition in a positive way. So
Michelle Lynne 1:55
a difficult transition, some difficult,
Debbie Pratt 1:57
but now we've settled into what works best for the company. Yeah, really? I believe so. I think so chill.
Michelle Lynne 2:04
Now, tell me a little bit about or tell the listeners to tell the millions of listeners. Okay, a little bit about your background.
Debbie Pratt 2:14
Well, I do not have a degree in design. My degree is actually in video production from the 80s, which is kind of obsolete now. But I've always been interested in design and self taught. And when I decided I wanted to pursue it on a professional level, I took some classes at the community college. So I couldn't just walk the walk, I had to talk the talk because I needed the vocabulary to actually communicate my ideas and honestly to be taken seriously, I had no what I was talking about. I couldn't just say, Oh, you put the thingy over there. You know, I needed to know why. And tell people why and explain through a design perspective and knowing that terminology really has been a huge benefit,
Michelle Lynne 2:56
and then give you a good level of confidence. Absolutely. And just because I just like bullshitted my way through it and it still worked. Okay, so
Debbie Pratt 3:04
I did online classes, I did design history and styles and all that stuff, you know, code compliance, Ada, blah, blah, blah, which you know, I can always refer back to if I need information, a lot of information, but just so I wouldn't look like, you know, I was caught a deer caught in the headlights. If someone asked me a question. At least I, it sounded familiar. And then I can go back and research if I needed to. Did
Michelle Lynne 3:29
you? Did they have any business courses? Yes, I actually
Debbie Pratt 3:33
took a series of small business courses, because you just it's not just the talent side, when you're managing people's money, you have to have a little bit of business sense. And if you want to be profitable, you need to learn how to manage money and also make money at the same time. Yeah, that's for sure. That is for sure. That's very, very helpful marketing, accounting, all that stuff that creatives don't like, girl. I
Michelle Lynne 3:57
didn't know you did that much schooling.
Debbie Pratt 3:59
I did. I did that in addition to my four year degree. Yeah, that
Michelle Lynne 4:03
makes so that makes sense. Hmm. I did you learn something new? Absolutely. And then Megan, you joined us a couple years after that. Yeah,
Debbie Pratt 4:13
like a year and a half after I've been here five, Afghan, no, going on five and a half years, depending
Michelle Lynne 4:19
on when you're listening to 15 by that. Let me just say when you get a good team, hold on to him. Hold on to him. So your background. Tell us just a quick because I
Debbie Pratt 4:32
went to design school. It was
Michelle Lynne 4:34
a four year four year college,
Debbie Pratt 4:39
university University play sports, all that stuff. But no, I was blessed that growing up I kind of knew I wanted to be in design. I was kind of lucky that way. And then just pursued it took a class in high school actually. And I was like, Oh, I'm actually kind of good at this and then decided to major in classes.
We just had crappy accounting classes. So it was kind
of the whole Mac mix, like I did the interior design, the cooking, and I learned how to sew pajama pants. Okay, so it was an electric
skateboard pillow. And that's what they did back in the day. But
now I forgot how to sew. So that wasn't applicable. But I didn't know how to continue to design if
we do not make the window treatments,
Michelle Lynne 5:23
we have noticed, don't do this at home. It's so basically, we've got a group of people in our studio that have all different types of backgrounds. So Megan was trained classically, through a four year degree, Debbie, went through, taught herself a lot of things and then went to school to compound the technical knowledge correct. And then I just kind of hired these two after the bill after the business outgrew my own bullshit level, for lack of a better term, so I could get in there and just kind of fudge my way through a lot of it. But I think that getting as a business owner, you sometimes have to get out of your own way, and let the business do what it needs to do. So in this instance, hiring Debbie and Megan were, was one of the best decisions because we have better designed than I have the patience to create. So for the record, I could still create kick ass designs,
Debbie Pratt 6:26
she does input on the designs, just an FYI, she does come in, and sometimes she gives us great I have the runway, right.
And that's the beauty of the group, though I feel like we all pitch in. And it's nice to get multiple perspectives, not just one in the
Michelle Lynne 6:42
strong suits, because I don't have the patience or the tolerance or anything to do some of those people for those long term relationships, but also for the level of detail that you guys put
Debbie Pratt 6:52
into it. So I think that's the fun part is, I appreciate the
detail, the detail and the personalization and getting to know our clients on a personal level. Because that way, you can give them the actual design that they want that because you get to know them.
Michelle Lynne 7:07
So let's let's segue that into processes and procedures. So the podcast itself is going to be about all things interior design. But my love for processes procedures, and the business aspect of it is is where the design for the creative mind platform or a division of MLS interiors group came from. So as a little bit of back history for our listeners, I had been thinking about putting some sort of an educational course or something together for new interior designers or whatever, because I had such difficulty understanding how to run this, run this business. I mean, there's a lot of moving parts. And so I promised myself once I figured it out that I would share the knowledge. So people didn't have to go through the years and years and buckets of money that I went through. And these lovely girls witnessed and experienced and helped me with. But when I really realized that what we were doing collectively was working is when I left to in June of 2018 for a month, like I left the studio alone for a month to go adopt my daughter, it was a domestic adoption. So at least we had the same time zones, basically. But I left for a month and Megan and Debbie ran the business, everything from incoming phone calls, scheduling appointments, doing, you know, initial visits, meet and greet scopes of work presentations, getting signatures on contracts and kicking off projects. And you're like you never called me and I was like well, I'd call you and say Is everything okay? And you're like yeah, everything's fine. So that's when I knew that the we
Debbie Pratt 8:53
had something we take it Yeah, it was working the stuff work yeah, I mean and I would say the business part is not I'm speaking for myself a strong suit and to be able to follow it and it goes smoothly is saying something right because as creatives Yes, it's a little more challenging.
Michelle Lynne 9:11
Well it's not your natural not your natural habitat to live on the left brain
Debbie Pratt 9:15
right exactly. And I I strive on and I do better on structure having that structure in place to be free and create but keep me in my lane is what makes us more productive and Michelle created that lane so we can create without deviating you know with this you know, we stay in this video all the time squirrel when you go off topic, right and we have a squirrel free lane. Yes,
Michelle Lynne 9:39
that's
Debbie Pratt 9:40
a good way to put it so it really when when Michelle was gone it was you know Megan and I would look at each other when something would come about and we're likely to be calling. What's what's going on right now with the labor what's going on? What do we do she not being meeting the birth mother We're not gonna show up. And we thought, you know, we can figure this out. And we've got a couple of ideas off each other and realize, okay, it's you go back to that process. And we're like, Yeah, we could do this. And then we would did it. We would did it. That's great. We do it. And you know what?
We were okay. Right?
Michelle Lynne 10:17
Because we had the we had the lanes drawn out. Yeah, but and
Debbie Pratt 10:21
the trust that you gave us as well, knowing that also, this is a mistake, like, it's okay to make a mistake. But yeah, I think that's the fun thing is you always learn, you know, you learn from your mistakes, but like, what process worked? What didn't? What can we improve on? And that's how we got to the 16 steps. Yeah.
Michelle Lynne 10:38
And that's where we're at right now is like, we have our 16 steps of sanity is what we call them internally. And every process, every project runs through that, but then we've got sub steps and whatnot. But I think that that, thank you for saying that. It's a safe place to make mistakes, because I hope that our listeners also understand that mistakes happen. We are not perfect, right? It's just a matter of how you how you internalize your own verbal conversations. When you make a mistake, you don't say You're such an idiot a lot. You wouldn't talk to your best friend or your children that way, right? So don't do that to yourself. Let's just say, Okay, let's analyze it. And I jokingly call it a post mortem. It's like, okay, that's over. It's done. It's dead. Let's go back and look at it and see what happened. Where did we fall off course? What could we have done differently? And then, it's also important to note is this going to be something that happens regularly, and we need to create a process by Oh, is this just that one in a million thing that we could just say, girl that was messed up, let's
Debbie Pratt 11:43
learn and move on know what to do
next time that happens again. And then next decade in the next decade. And it's just it, the processes, you know, are in place, but you can evolve how you approach them based on that current situation,
right, and the current client, because no clients the same, no project is the same. But also it is the same, you follow it. And that's where you stay on track. And you don't let the client take you off track.
Michelle Lynne 12:09
That's even our tagline is like, Well, every project is different, the process should remain the same. And what we've also learned is that we can always almost use our process as the quote unquote, bad guy, when the client tries to when they deviate. Yeah, when the client starts to become the tail that wags the dog. Yeah, I'm sorry, Mr. Mrs. Client, but our process does not work this way. Here's what we need to do instead. And here's why. And then they appreciate it. And you're not the bad guy like being the like,
Debbie Pratt 12:40
dictator. Yeah. And they respect you that you're running your business like a business, and they
Michelle Lynne 12:46
were introduced into the process in the very first couple of conversations. It's not a surprise, yes, yeah.
Debbie Pratt 12:51
Remember when we discussed this at your initial visit or your reach? And then we go back to it's like, you know, this is how we work? This? Yeah, you know, this is, it's the best for you, in the Enron
Michelle Lynne 13:04
type of thing. And because our clients are usually highly successful, professional individuals, they're used to being in charge, right. So when they got a quote unquote, little designer, telling them what to do, having this process set up, like a business and explaining it to him from the beginning. One, I think it increases our, or will I know, I don't think I know it is increased our confidence. Absolutely. And it increases their confidence in us like, we don't have clients pushing back on us. Hardly anything,
Debbie Pratt 13:32
because we have backup, this is where we are, this
Michelle Lynne 13:35
is how we do it. And you agreed
Debbie Pratt 13:37
on the beginning. So while we understand your concerns, let's move forward and fix the issue right?
Michelle Lynne 13:48
Over according to our process, or it's already it's already going to be addressed in this particular area. And so I think that that is the key is that they just reminding them. So tell me from your point of view, as as the ones who were like dealing, so let's let's back up, I'm involved in the research phase, pretty, pretty highly, and then the development phase. So we've got the research, development, procurement and installation phases of every design. That's how we break it down. So in the development phase, you guys are very involved. But let's, what am I trying to say? Um, how does the processes give you freedom? Like does it make you feel tied down? And like, Oh, I gotta go exactly this way. Or, oh, here we go. I'm ready to roll. Like how does it leave you feeling in the middle of let's talk about the design phase.
Debbie Pratt 14:49
For me personally, our interview portion of the of the steps because it's considered ongoing. That means that it's okay to go back and call your client and ask a question, because for instance, today I just did that I did my my measurements and my interview day last week for a new project, I totally forgot to ask her the paint colors. So I kind of like Friday follow up said, Oh, I noticed that you have a piece of tape with a paint number on the wall. And according to my records, that's alabaster from Sherwin Williams. Well, you wouldn't happen to have cans in the garage of the other paint colors do, did you? So it wasn't like, yes, sometimes you forget, but it got back on track. But I was given grace because of that step is ongoing, right. And if it was researched, and the
Michelle Lynne 15:38
system of our Friday follow ups allows you to reach out to them regularly to have these questions. So it doesn't look
Debbie Pratt 15:45
like you, you messed up, because it's like, oh, you know, when I was there, I I forgot to ask about your painkillers. Right. So it was it was like a logical step, that she's expecting something in that Friday follow up. But it wasn't like some weird major thing like, right.
Speaker 1 16:02
And in such a large project like that. You can't the client cannot expect you to have all of your questions, all of everything in one day. Okay, like it's a process.
Michelle Lynne 16:12
Don't you put more pressure on yourself than our clients? Of course, yeah. And I think that all of our all of our listeners feel the same way from all of the designers that I talked to, were harder on ourselves than our clients. I
Debbie Pratt 16:25
mean, I was writing my Friday follow up and it's like son of a monkey. I forgot to ask her about the painkiller syndrome monkey. Son of a monkey Five little monkeys jumping on the bed. Sometimes we sing. So yeah, it gives you it's it's a it's a guideline. Mm hmm. Not so much a rule. Right. So that's what you have to remember. I didn't break a rule.
I'm falling guidelines. Yeah. So
every like, like Megan said, every client is different. So we follow these procedures, but the way you approach them may be a little bit different per project. Absolutely. So that's, that's where you're given a little bit of leeway. But as long as you stay in your lane, and you can leave in that lane.
Michelle Lynne 17:10
So did you think if you were an individual solopreneur and didn't work in a team, would it still work the same for you? 100%
Debbie Pratt 17:18
I would have to be big because I'm a structured person. And I like I actually like rules. And I like steps and I like to she's
the one on the Enneagram people. Yes, just for the record. She does like an
army brat. It's just my environment when I was raised, but I thinking about it's like, gosh, if I was doing this on my own, I could not just jump in the deep end without my inner tube of 16 steps. And I just totally pulled that out of my butt. But that's it. That's the equivalent. It's like, I've never run my own business before. So I wouldn't know but if I had this roadmap on how to do it correctly and keep me focused, so I could be profitable because at the end of the day, it's a business you want to make money right you know, you're not doing charity work. I mean, if you do charity work rock on right ahead. But if you're gonna, you know, eat, you know, yeah, work and just do it profitably. But you also have to provide a good product for your client. Absolutely. It's a two way street. But you know,
Michelle Lynne 18:23
and same lanes, saying you staying in your lane. Let me interrupt myself to take a quick moment to thank set enough insurance agency for sponsoring this episode of The designed for the creative mind podcast. Their support and understanding of the interior design, decorating and home staging industries is unrivaled. Satin off understands what our businesses do, and they provide insurance that lets me sleep at night. Yep, this is the firm that I use. And they will do the same for your sleep habits and your business too. They're more than an insurance agency. They are an extension of my business. They take care of the worry, because they are the experts, which allows me and my team breathing room to do what we do best design beautiful spaces. You can find their contact information below in the show notes. Give him a call today. And Megan having come from school, what was the like, holy crap, I didn't learn everything. Did you have a moment like that? Yeah,
Debbie Pratt 19:28
my internship. Um, well, for one dealing with people and school, you don't deal with people you have make believe projects that have this beautiful life and they have no budget and you're just going to do amazing on your project. And that's not real life either. Should
we go back to day one with Megan? Yeah,
I mean, I can remember even first year
people need to live. Yeah, it's
a learning curve. I mean, and that's and it's, I mean, it's just being a newbie anyways, and but
Michelle Lynne 19:59
there are Still designers that don't understand that you have to work within a budget because they're just
Debbie Pratt 20:06
well, and not only that, I think some people aren't even realistic about their budget. So they might have all these dreams and you're dreaming with them. And then it's like, okay, you and I need to come back down to reality. And this is which now we have a structured budget, which helps me and the client understand, like, look, and nicely Yeah, and you can't use sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too. But sometimes you can't. And it's like, you can still have styles of diet and a yes. Which we all are happier with our pants. So it is yeah, that was a learning curve. But even I so I knew in school, I wanted to deal with residential for the personalities and the connections. I'm a very connection oriented person. Yes. Um, and so I did not want to do commercial at all. Like it's very cold, different. It's just completely different. But yeah. And so I think that's the beauty, per relationship per client per style. I think that's what I love about our portfolio is it's not your cookie cutter every day, trendy design. It's more so what our client wants, which allows us to be creative through their eyes.
Michelle Lynne 21:15
Now let's, let's just briefly talk about that. I don't know how long we've been recording. But in that respect, like that was something that we struggled with as a team a few years ago, it was like, Do we go down a niche style specific, right, so people
Debbie Pratt 21:30
could identify us by our pictures?
Michelle Lynne 21:32
Because I feel like it doesn't. That's one of the things that I teach in the interior design business. masterclass, is like riches are in the niches, but only if there's something that is natural to you. And as a team, we didn't all fall into one bucket. And I think our clients like that. Because what we do is we take their style and elevate it,
Debbie Pratt 21:56
yes. And make it work and functional. Yeah, and
interpret what they like, into what they love. Yeah, because they, they see a lot of images, and they share them with us. And we decipher what exactly
it can sometimes get overwhelming for them because they love so many things that they need it to be narrowed down to beautiful,
it's nice to hear this all the time is that playing on the land, you know, you get so many ideas that you need to like, rein them in and get the right ones. So
Michelle Lynne 22:28
how do you do that with our processes? It's interview day, you
Debbie Pratt 22:32
have to learn your client's needs and wants and budgets to get them what they want questionnaire
day on track
Michelle Lynne 22:38
and it's also the amount of time that we allot to each project. So that will be a separate a separate conversation. But it comes down to how much are you charging? Because you still have to stay profitable because you could you could take a client on and develop their design over six 912 months, when really you've only allotted six 912 weeks worth of a feat right? Yes.
Debbie Pratt 23:00
So you can't let that you've got to learn to narrow it down. So there you know what was that that show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Michelle Lynne 23:09
right? With Robin leach champagne lifestyles
Debbie Pratt 23:13
and caviar dreams or something like that sometimes it's you know, you're gonna wings you gotta you gotta learn their lifestyle. It's like yeah, you let you have these extravagant desires and tastes but you know, let's let's bring them back and make it work for how you live. Yes. So which usually comes down to budget. So learning that through the processes brings us into back into that lane to keep them on track and their design. So
Michelle Lynne 23:40
great. So talking about budget and processes, that is something that we have recently within the last couple of years. So I want to go back a couple of years and talk about Debbie joined me and I was just all over the place.
Debbie Pratt 23:58
Well it was so transit aging mostly staging I mean honestly, I was going out to real estate offices and find them lunch and talking to them or they were all we're on their phones right and we get zero business.
Michelle Lynne 24:11
Okay, so let's address that when it comes to marketing. Yes, that's not the right thing to do. But once we do
Debbie Pratt 24:19
have to try what because I've even gone to apartments with goodie bags and been like hey, you know if you try it we're working on a multicast so we have that trying things to see what works. Your time
is more valuable than that there are things that work and things that don't work and we learned along the way we do. That's
Michelle Lynne 24:35
where I think that our our money last time last experience gained is what we're trying to share with other individuals.
Debbie Pratt 24:47
What created the 60s Yeah, assess because that just and it also kept
Michelle Lynne 24:51
us from going we weren't going to do staging we weren't going to do we're not pursuing multifamily. I might even take that off the website. Um and just completely stay in our residential space. Although I will say multifamily for the record is highly profitable and a lot of fun because you don't have to deal with as much emotion. But it's also a time suck. It's also a different episode budget crunch. Yeah. So there's, there's pros and cons. Yeah. So with that, I think that we've learned that once we stay in our lane, and that goes back to what you were talking about earlier about the squirrel, we totally see a bunch of things is that you guys have you guys have seen a lot of things and just share like, two quick minutes about the difference of Debi, when you first came on board. And I was all over the place. Megan, you came on board, and we were starting to tighten up the ship? How different does it feel? From the beginning until now when we have our ship together? And for the record shit together is all relative? Because some days you're a superhero, and some days you're super zero. But how does it feel? Like if it was your business? And it is because we're all in this together? Basically, even though my name is on the damn door? Like how does it feel? Just Is there less stress? Is there more stress?
Debbie Pratt 26:16
Like I would say less stress and a sense of I can remember at the like, probably the first year where I was digging into designs, and you'd ask me all these questions. Have you done this? Have you done this? Have you done this? And I hate not being like you're getting it done? We all do. And and then I would question myself like, oh, did I forget that? Did I forget that? I didn't write that down? Now it's all written down. Even when it comes down to sending a gift to a client. I don't have to question if I've gotten it done. Because it's already written down. And I just check it off. You
check it off when it's done versus Oh,
crap, did I? Because you know, I don't know, I forgot to sleep for two days and whatever. But it's because we're human. You know, we make errors. But our process is there. So we don't
Michelle Lynne 27:00
and I think that actually let me before I interrupt. Well, Debbie,
Debbie Pratt 27:05
I'm gonna go back to what Michelle said about the niche. niches bring riches, riches are in the niches. riches are in the niches. I think in the beginning, we were spending too much time chasing that niche. We're trying to figure out what we were so we spread ourselves a little thin. And actually, we
Michelle Lynne 27:24
weren't who we posed ourselves to be. So we weren't actually functional interior design, which glamorously functional interiors for the
Debbie Pratt 27:33
busy as a professional. And
Michelle Lynne 27:35
that came to me because I used to be a busy professional, right? But showing up at at a design for glamorously functional, we'd have to be wearing pumps, and probably nine oh my gosh, oh, well, no, no. That's why that's
Debbie Pratt 27:50
just disclaimer never happened. That's why it didn't feel natural did not feel natural. We were trying to figure out what our niche was, when actually our niche was the business. The business actually became it it doesn't, the design style and all that is relative to the client. But what how we approach it became our niche. So it wasn't multifamily. It wasn't commercial, it wasn't residential, we tend to lean towards residential, but our process makes whatever project we're currently working on. Feel right because of our process. So the way we design and run the business is our niche.
Michelle Lynne 28:31
Yes. And I noticed that that's also very applicable to anybody else who even if you have a look, you can still uplevel and promote the business process. When you're talking to your clients and elevate to above like We've won. We've won projects that we've made a bucket of money on over another designer buckets. And let me just say we had to put our big girl panties on to ask that
Debbie Pratt 29:04
when we looked at each other, when are we doing this? We did. And we have a signature
Michelle Lynne 29:09
and that will be another episode. But the business processes definitely helped us get it.
Debbie Pratt 29:15
Not anybody honestly can design rather than it's it's subjective.
Michelle Lynne 29:20
Any, any good designer? Yeah, create something. Yes. But because otherwise we'd be out of business. But for any
Debbie Pratt 29:27
good designer to be profitable, they
need to have the process and stay on track. Like so many people can't stay on track and many too many exits on design brains. Yeah, I mean, we it's and if that's the one that's running the business instead of you who has a business brain, it can be very challenging, but
Michelle Lynne 29:43
as a solopreneur if you get these processes in place, whether they're mine or another business coaches or somebody's you don't have to think because it's already been done for you. Yeah. All right. Let's check it off. So on that note, because we could sit here and talk for like another six hours First because we get so excited.
Debbie Pratt 30:02
Pop another bubble one of the
Michelle Lynne 30:05
record. So one of the things that I actually didn't prepare you girls for dunk dunk is a segment that I have called Rapid Fire. Oh, so it's dives into different levels of fun to get to know our guests.
Debbie Pratt 30:22
Okay disclaimer Megan is unbelievably competitive softball player collegiate level softball player. She's not she's question she's down on rapids that's only our Easter egg. Oh my God, I wish you all the way
down and
Michelle Lynne 30:49
you're good with words though. pull you back up. Okay, so w Okay, so, segment that dives into a different level of fun to get to know us. Okay? Otherwise it'll be our guest but today it's us what?
Debbie Pratt 31:03
Nothing's nothing's off the table. Okay, but I need to know the rules in the format.
Michelle Lynne 31:07
Let's see what questions come up today. We both scream amount How does? Yes. Processes. Sorry. All right. So left handed or right handed right left. All right. favorite ice cream?
Debbie Pratt 31:22
Vanilla. Sad. Not a true strawberry no mango strawberry, Chloe's or
mango Joey?
He's got man Chloe's somewhat healthy to your own dairy
Michelle Lynne 31:36
in there you go. Oh, I have a salad dressing to introduce you to 90
Debbie Pratt 31:40
calories close. I don't feel bad eating.
Michelle Lynne 31:44
When was the last time you almost peed yourself? Oh.
Debbie Pratt 31:50
I mean, alcohol could have been involved.
You know, I yesterday, I was stopping at a lot of different job sites. Sometimes there aren't bathrooms available. And so I was looking in on home to go pee and I've been pulled over twice in the past two weeks. And no tickets. I talk my way.
Michelle Lynne 32:12
I use my words. And hold on. Hold on. Let me just say this is Debbie who follows the rules. Right? So the fact that you hadn't pulled over twice I knew about one over 10% So did you nearly lock yourself into up?
Debbie Pratt 32:26
I just sat there and just well, no yesterday. I know. Not when I got pulled over. There wasn't the P thing yesterday I was going home and I had to pee but I had to stay within the speed limit. Because if I got pulled over again, guaranteed a ticket. So because of the same areas. Oh no, no, no, no, no. No, I did but I had to keep it up yourself. I nearly peed myself and I literally walked through and into my house putting these together. I think we can all appreciate that. Especially going to different projects. Yes. So either of you
Michelle Lynne 32:56
laugh lightly enough to pee yourself.
Debbie Pratt 32:59
Oh, the last time I did that was probably in college. When I went bike riding. I'm not asking when you actually pee. No, but I laughed so hard. I did pee. Because my friend fell off your bike
Michelle Lynne 33:13
Alright, so red or white one. Oh, bread. All right. Um, if you couldn't be in the profession you're in now what would you be doing? Historical fiction author? Oh, that's hard. I don't know. I know you can do
Debbie Pratt 33:28
anything with animals. I'm obsessed with dogs. Okay, beach or mountains.
Michelle Lynne 33:32
Mountains, mountains.
Debbie Pratt 33:36
But it's Thai Thai. I love the child. What
is your favorite book? I didn't prepare you for this. Outlander series since the historical fiction. I love me some Scottish. That's all I'm saying.
Michelle Lynne 33:52
And the fact that it's adult? Well,
Debbie Pratt 33:54
it's yes.
Michelle Lynne 33:58
Do you have a consistent morning routine?
Debbie Pratt 34:00
I just My goal is to wake up a morning person alive. To wake up after the third alarm goes off my cup of coffee. I don't know I'm not a morning person.
Weekends, it's i Well, thanks to COVID and working from home so much, which we do a lot I kind of got into the habit of just like settling in and having my coffee and going through my emails on on the couch before I dive into work whereas before I would get dressed and leave and then and then settle when I got to the studio.
Michelle Lynne 34:44
Now what about the days that you weren't working at the studio? Because before COVID We did we still had two to three days from home peloton
Debbie Pratt 34:51
in the morning. Oh,
Michelle Lynne 34:53
there you go. I'm looking forward to that. Yeah. Megan, have you thought about your favorite book?
Debbie Pratt 34:56
Oh, it sounds cheesy. And I know it was popular. Back in the day, but I did enjoy hunger games that I haven't ate read the books or I couldn't put them down. I mean, even like walking through campus, I would run into people reading
which was the one that when you know, oh crap, I can't remember. Okay, my kids read them. Yeah,
I mean in class that would get in trouble.
Michelle Lynne 35:23
So if you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Debbie Pratt 35:26
To read people's minds? I would love to see what people are really thinking. People hide that. So I fall asleep the minute
my head hit the pillow, without thoughts, and get a good eight hours every night. And not have to wake up to pee
Mine would be 10 hours. But yes.
Michelle Lynne 35:48
I know. Some people like my husband needs a full solid eight to nine hours and I'm fine with four to five. And then I well, and then I crash and
Debbie Pratt 35:58
caffeine that I would intake to make up for the foreign fat answers in Denmark. Yeah. We need you to get any sleep and I need food. I got that from my mom. It's genetic. So
Michelle Lynne 36:17
I've only worked up now. No, we'll record another episode right now he knows we've actually we have a virtual meeting coming up in a few minutes. So Oh, yeah. Get back to work. Okay. So thank you guys for joining me. And this will not be the last time that we have this fun. It was fun. I know. Yes. You guys were nervous to begin with by one. This is just This isn't? Well, it doesn't hurt to have some sparkling mosaic. Yeah, yeah. So thank you very much. I look forward to having you guys next time. And if you go if you girls want, if anybody wants to know where you can follow the team, you can check out ml interiors group, all of the projects are tagged with either Debbie or Megan, or the very few projects that I'm still relevant in
Debbie Pratt 37:09
that down at the portfolio for
Michelle Lynne 37:13
years ago. But for the really good ones, check out at Meghan Fornes. And at Deb does design and we will see you on the next episode. Hey, y'all, if you love the show and find it useful, I would really appreciate it if you would share with your friends and followers. And if you like what you're hearing, want to put a face with a name and get even more business advice. Then join me in my Facebook group. The interior designers business Launchpad. Yeah, I know it's Facebook, but just come on in for the training and then leave without scrolling your feet. It's fine. I promise you'll enjoy it. And finally, I hear it's good for business to get ratings on your podcast. So please drop yours on whatever platform you use to listen to this. We're all about community over competition. So let's work on elevating our industry, one designer at a time. See you next time.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
