Big news! We are nearing February and the 2nd birthday for the podcast! Our 300th episode is coming on February 21; there’s a BIG party in NYC---and you’re invited! Listen to today’s show for details! Today’s guest is Sandra Espinet, a luxury interior designer and the principal of SE Designs, based in Los Cabos, Mexico. Sandra is warm, genuine, intelligent, and a very smart businesswoman. She knows the nuances of catering to the luxury design market, and how it carries its own code and way of doing things. As a lifelong traveler, she embraces the concepts of relaxed luxury and casual international style in her designs. Her experience and extensive travel have given her a unique perspective on her design style. Her work has been published in several international publications, and she has received numerous awards and distinctions, in addition to appearing on several HGTV shows and radio shows. Her first book is The Well-Traveled Home and her newest book is Barefoot Luxury: Mexican Resort Living, due for release in a few weeks. What you’ll hear in this episode: How I met Sandra through Andrew Joseph PR: the similar focus on how they work with clients Getting real with yourself about the client you want to work with and what you want to do Why you can’t be an expert on everything, but you CAN be an expert in your field Knowing what calls to you and attracts you What it means to design for luxury clients Understanding the client in THEIR world and in THEIR space Locking down the intangibles to move to the next level Finding the balance between “staying in your lane” and branching out How to decline the projects that aren’t aligned with your focus and having the power to say NO “If you know that you can’t lead, then be a follower, but follow the best person you can find.” The other legs of SE Designs and the business positives that come from them Staying conscious of your core clients, especially about social media exposure How Sandra gets clients with NO advertising Sandra’s recent award from AD Mexico as a Top Ten Designer in Latin America How Sandra manifests her strengths in each job Why Sandra works now with a smaller team and with fewer simultaneous jobs The unique focus of each of Sandra’s books: one eclectic book about travel and one about casual lifestyle trends in the luxury market Why Sandra LOVES to shop with her clients Plan and focus: How Sandra’s shopping trips begin with a budget and a floor plan Becoming fully immersed in the total experience with a client in the psychology of design “I’m designing a stage for fabulous people to lead fabulous lives.” The power and responsibility in spending other people’s money Resources: Website: Sandra Espinet Find Sandra’s monthly blog: 7 Things I Cannot Live Without The Well-Traveled Home by Sandra Espinet Barefoot Luxury: Mexican Resort Living by Sandra Espinet Facebook: Sandra Espinet Instagram: Sandra Espinet Pinterest: Sandra Espinet