KNow known as the “Queen of Unpopular Opinions” and the “Tough Love Business Coach,” Melissa Galt helps interior designers reach the next level in their profession.
Marketing Coach, a Scottsdale business strategist and interior designer, has a wide range of clients, from busy creatives to bright entrepreneurs.
After running an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia for 30 years, Galt decided 15 years ago: It's time to share her business expertise with aspiring decorators.
It's no surprise that Mr. Gault has an artistic eye. As the great-granddaughter of American architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright, her aesthetic sensibilities have been passed down to her.
She made the career change with a desire to educate clients about the business side of interior design.
“Interior design is incredibly complex. Designers wear up to 36 different hats at any given time. I don't know of any other industry like that,” Gault said.
“I guide the designers I coach to become their best selves in the future.”
Understanding the customer's needs from the beginning is very important to Galt. Equally important to her is accountability.
“First, we'll ask you to fill out your 'ongoing priorities' so you know what you've been able to do, what you haven't done, what you're responsible for, and what you want to focus on.” Gault said.
“From the first session, we set milestones, and subsequent sessions focus on building the changes needed to address day-to-day operational challenges,” she explained.
Galt offers one-on-one private coaching with a minimum six-month commitment per client.
Designers can also participate in group intensive courses. In this course, Mr. Gault will teach you how to streamline your operations, maximize profits, and restructure your rates.
Galt doesn't hesitate to tell the truth about his coaching style.
“I'm going to push my clients and call BS. Even if they don't think it's an excuse, I'm going to give them an excuse,” Gault said.
Galt can be harsh towards his clients, but he loves them.
“For me, the 'love' in 'tough love' is very important. I literally live for the success of my clients. They know that I care deeply about them. I hope they will be very successful,” she said.
Balancing artistry and brand building is key for the design business coach, and she emphasizes this skill to her clients.
“Most coaches in the design industry say you need to be prepared to spend 20% of your time focused on creativity and 80% on business. I strongly agree with that,” says Gault. he said.
“People get into the design business because they want to be creative, so I outsourced the business part of it so they could be in that genius creative zone 80% of the time. I'll teach you how to minimize it.
In addition to in-person and virtual coaching, Galt also teaches through podcasts. Her use of the audio medium gives her access to interior design advice and doubles her influence.
“I love podcasting. It's so much fun. I get a lot of responses from it and it makes a big difference,” Gault said.
For those looking to improve their business acumen, Galt warns of the dangers of taking advice from the wrong sources.
“Aspiring designers, be careful in choosing your sources. Find one or two reliable sources instead of 25,” Gault said.
“There's a lot of unfair banter in Facebook groups. It's from other designers who have also launched and are trying to launch. Be careful not to accept the advice of someone who has a completely different business model than yours. .”
When she's not advising designers in the office, Ms. Gault brings the same enthusiasm she enjoys working with clients to pursuing adventures abroad, exploring the savanna on an African safari or trying out extreme sports in New Zealand. I am.
Information: melissagalt.com.
