Episode 119 From Designer to Business Owner with Annette Walter

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carina is joined on Make + Design today by brilliant business woman Annette Walter. Annette shares her career trajectory with us and then gives us great advice on how to run a business. Anyone who becomes good enough at their trade will eventually need to shift into business administration and leadership. She tells us how we can stay grounded as business owners when we have less time to do the thing that originally brought us success because we are spending so much time working on the business instead of on production. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Annette also tells us about a tool called the “Core Values Index.” It’s a tool that allows you to discover your strengths and learn to surround yourself with people who make up for your weaknesses as you build a team.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carina and Annette continue the conversation by looking at things to consider when building a team for the first time. As you build a team, you’re really creating two audiences for your product: the internal team and your external customers. Building a team will allow you to get rid of the tasks that you don’t like to do. Annette also walks us through the beauty of using a T-chart to decide how to grow your business. The advice that Annette shares is essential for anyone looking to start or grow a business.</span></p> <p><br /> <br /></p> <p><strong>About Carina Gardner:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carina Gardner is a fabric designer, paper designer, and design educator who is passionate about helping other designers fulfill their creative dreams by teaching them her strategies for making money as a designer. She has a Ph.D. in Design and taught design at the University of Minnesota before starting Carina Gardner, Inc.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carina Gardner, Inc design brand has been featured in dish ware, holiday decor, sewing patterns, and more. Her e