Episode Summary:
In this episode, I’m hanging out with my good friend and business coach, Nancy Quinn (formerly Nancy Ganzekaufer), and we’re getting into something every solo entrepreneur needs but doesn’t always want to deal with—systems and processes.
We’re take a look at the difference between selling products vs. selling services––they are wildly different! And why setting clear boundaries with clients can actually make your life (and theirs) so much easier.
Nancy and I also get into the nitty-gritty of reclaiming your time, making more money without working yourself into the ground, and using tech to keep things running smoothly. We even chat about sales (yes, you can get better at it with practice).
And Nancy’s got some big updates about her coaching programs, so if you’ve been thinking about working with her, you’ll want to tune in.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in day to day work, constantly stuck in decision fatigue, or just need a little push to get your business running like a well-oiled machine, grab your coffee and hit play.
What I hope you take away from today's episode...
- Systems and processes save your sanity – The right workflows can free up your time, increase profitability, and keep you from feeling like you’re drowning.
- Your time is your most valuable asset – You don’t have to work 70-hour weeks to grow a successful business—smart time management and tech can do a lot of the heavy lifting.
- Not every client is your client – Setting boundaries and saying “no” when something isn’t the right fit will save you from headaches and burnout.
- Social media is a tool, not a time-suck – You don’t need to post every day, but you do need consistency and a strategy that works for you.
Links to some really cool stuff:
Nancy's Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1820424158208787
Design Your Time FREE training https://nancyganzekaufer.com/free-resources-for-interior-designers/
Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io
Find me on Substack!
Connect with Nancy
Book a Business Strategy Session HERE
Website — https://nancyganzekaufer.com/
Facebook — Nancy Ganzekaufer, Business Coach
Instagram — Nancy Quinn (@nancyganzekaufer)
LinkedIn — Nancy (Ganzekaufer) Quinn
Detailed Show Notes
(automatically transcribed using AI Technology)
Hello and welcome back to The Solo Grind, my friends. I am so happy to have you here today because we have one of my favorite people joining us. More on that in just a few moments.
If we are meeting for the first time, I’m thrilled to connect with you. I’m Teresa Schlup, the original Caffeine Creative, and I help solo entrepreneurs create standout brands through web design, personal branding, and digital marketing. You can find me at caffeinecreative.io, and all my best contact information is in the show notes below.
Before we dive into today’s episode, I wanted to do a quick recap of the month.
We’ve been talking about marketing—specifically, relationship marketing. In the first episode of this month, we discussed personal branding and why you are your best marketing strategy. When we show up as our authentic, real selves and build a brand around that, we naturally attract the right clients—the ones we dream about working with.
Next, we explored the power of relationship marketing, diving deep into how cultivating genuine relationships fuels long-term success. This concept comes and goes in the marketing world, but it’s the foundation of how I’ve built my business. When we build real connections, we create a business that sustains itself over time. I have clients who have been with me for years, and when they leave, it’s often because they’ve decided to close their business or pivot in a different direction. Even then, we remain friends because we’ve built that strong relationship.
Then last week, we talked about Beyond the Sale—how to keep clients engaged after they buy and turn one-time buyers into repeat customers and referral sources.
All of that leads us to today’s episode, where we’re talking about the systems and processes we need to create more time and profit. And yes, we have Nancy Quinn joining us today! Formerly known as Nancy Ganzekaufer, she’s one of the top business coaches in the interior design industry. Let’s bring her in!
Nancy Quinn
Thanks for having me, Teresa. How are you?
Teresa Schlup
I’m good! I was just about to introduce you, but I figured I’d bring you on first so everyone can see the face behind the name. For those who don’t know, Nancy was recently married to a fabulous man and is now Nancy Quinn. Congratulations!
Nancy Quinn
Yes, I am! Thank you!
Teresa Schlup
Nancy, you’re one of the top business coaches in the interior design industry, but you also work with other creatives—like myself—to build confident, profitable businesses. You have this no-fluff, straightforward coaching style that I love. Through one-on-one coaching, your Profit Insiders Academy, and your expertise in sales, marketing, pricing, and mindset, designers are empowered to grow sustainable businesses.
And today, we’re talking about systems and processes—an essential topic for any entrepreneur. We’ve spent this month discussing relationships, attracting clients, and building businesses. But once you have clients, how do you keep things profitable and stress-free?
Nancy Quinn
As you were talking, I was thinking—wow, running a business is a lot! It’s not easy, is it?
Teresa Schlup
Oh my gosh, no! It’s not for the weak-minded, and it’s certainly not for the lazy. It’s a lot of work.
Nancy Quinn
It is, and I always think about the difference between selling a product versus selling a service. I specialize in coaching interior designers, but I coach any service provider, and it’s a different kind of sale. A product has immediate gratification—here’s your new shiny object! But with a service, the results take time. That makes selling and managing expectations very different.
Teresa Schlup
Exactly. With a product, people get that immediate dopamine hit. But with a service, you’re guiding someone through a process, and that takes trust and patience.
Nancy Quinn
Right. And when we start as service providers, we typically work one-on-one. Then we realize, "This isn’t enough income. I need to scale." That’s when systems and processes come in. If you’re overwhelmed, overworked, and questioning why you started your business in the first place, it’s probably because you haven’t set up the right structure.
Teresa Schlup
Yes! And I was totally a control freak in the beginning. I handled everything myself. But even as a solo entrepreneur, I have contractors and consultants I trust. I’ve had to let go of micromanaging. Even setting up automated processes has been a game-changer. The key is testing them, trusting them, and letting them do their job instead of obsessing over every little detail.
Nancy Quinn
Absolutely. And beyond automation, having repeatable processes is crucial. I remember when my business manager introduced me to Asana, Slack, and SOPs (standard operating procedures). At first, I resisted. I thought, "I don’t need this." But now? I wouldn’t run my business without them!
Teresa Schlup
Even as a solopreneur, having structured systems makes a massive difference. And one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t compromise your systems and processes just to land a sale. You’ll regret it every time.
Nancy Quinn
So true. And here’s the thing: if you set up the right processes, you get your time back. You reclaim your freedom. I used to work 70-hour weeks. Now, I work 20-25 hours, and my income is the same—if not better.
Teresa Schlup
Same here! And because of that, I now have time to do this podcast. I get to choose how I spend my time because I built my business to support my life—not the other way around.
Nancy Quinn
That’s exactly the goal! And for those listening, if you’re drowning in client work, feeling like you can’t step away, it’s time to revisit your systems. I actually have a free training called Design Your Time that can help you manage your workload better. We’ll include the link in the show notes.
Teresa Schlup
Yes, that training is amazing! Everyone listening—check it out! And Nancy, before we wrap up, tell people where they can find you.
Nancy Quinn
You can find me at nancyganzekaufer.com, soon transitioning to Profit Insiders Coaching. My Profit Insiders Academy is shifting to a six-month accelerated program, helping designers and creatives get results faster. You can also join my Facebook group, The Interior Design Business Forum, where we have nearly 10,000 members supporting each other.
Teresa Schlup
That’s incredible! Thank you so much for being here, Nancy. As always, this was such a great conversation!
Nancy Quinn
Always a pleasure, Teresa! Thanks for having me.
Teresa Schlup
And thank you to everyone listening! Be sure to come back next week—I’ve got something special planned that you won’t want to miss. See you then!
