Design Inspiration From One Of My Small-Biz-Turned-Giant-Biz Heroes!

Move over Martha, there's a new mogul in town! I'm talking about Joanna Gaines, the new maven of all things stylish and tasty in the home, kitchen, garden and beyond. Of course Martha Stewart still rocks, always will! But a new generation of tastemakers is following in her footsteps. And Joanna is one of my absolute faves! She's not from the East Coast (clutch pearls!) and she's making stylish design more accessible and relatable than ever. If I could have another career in an alternate universe — I live in LA, does Texas qualify as alternate universe? — I think it would be hers. She's a woman with amazing taste, savvy business skills, and a home life that's gotta be a little crazy at times. (Hmmm... sounds kinda familiar! Maybe that's why I think she's so fascinating!) Plus, she has a huge business empire and gorgeous hair — and who wouldn't want that?

If you've ever seen an episode of Fixer Upper, you might already know something about Joanna Gaines and her hubby Chip, who also has great hair and is handy with tools. Love him! They're the dynamic duo of home improvement and design inspiration. If y'all are a little fuzzy on their details, let me fill you in. I just spent a solid hour lazily browsing researching them on their beautiful website and making a list of about 17 things I want for my birthday, so I'm all up to speed on their careers and life story. My word, these people are talented! (Apparently I speak a little Southern now?)

People I Admire: Design Guru Joanna Gaines

Joanna and Chip opened a retail store together in Waco, Texas, called Magnolia Market. Great name, right? That whole going into business with your husband thing... I did that! And it worked... for a while... yet, oddly, it didn't result in a TV show... but enough about me. Next, they took on home renovation in their hometown. Chip handled construction; Joanna did the design. Then, just like in a made-for-TV movie, HGTV found them! And it turns out, they were made for TV! Just like a porch for a swing. (How's that for Southern speak?) Most impressively, after countless renovation projects together, these two are still married! Imagine that!

So TV is where us non-Texans got to know them. We watched as they overhauled the insides of dull houses, upped the curb appeal on the outside, and cleaned up many a tired-looking space with white subway tile and shiplap. Now, Joanna (and I should probably give Chip credit, too) has added a magazine, online shopping, a deal with Target, Magnolia Market at the Silos (take a look to see what that's all about), a bakery, a restaurant, vacation rentals, an awesome social media presence, oh and a NEW BABY! Good lord, the list goes on! I'm just waiting to hear when the hotel is opening. That totally seems like the next logical project. I think they should stock the bathrooms with their own line of hair products. Just sayin'. Can I reserve a room now?

More Success, Style and Inspiration Than You Can Shake a Stick At!

So now that you know all about Joanna Gaines — and maybe even where Waco is — why am I making such a big deal about her? Well bless your heart! I mean that in the literal way, not the Southern snarky/polite-aggressive way! If you read my blog even once in a while, you know that I admire people who start a business and can grow it into something big and fabulous. Like Martha & Oprah did. Joanna started out with a small shop in a small city in Texas. With hard work, talent and maybe a dose of luck with that TV deal, she and her business partner–husband have created a lifestyle brand that's truly accessible to people regardless of where they live — plus, increased Waco tourism and home values to boot! In a few years, there'll be statues of them in town!

Thanks to Target, you can get home decor from the Magnolia product line without breaking the bank. It's like making an "as seen on TV" purchase for something your friends will covet instead of for your next white elephant party. She's reminded us that style and good taste (and aspiration & success!) have no geographical boundaries. Best of all, she's taken her Southern casual aesthetic and updated the idea of "country" decor, showing us how to do it real modern-like. It's on that basic idea that Chip and Joanna Gaines have built a business empire. And it's made me want hop a flight to Texas. Or buy a barn and renovate it. Anyone know where I can find one in Alhambra?

Be Oh So Quotable This Week!

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I always say running a business means the work never ends! Ain't that the truth? I bet your to-do list is a mile long! Make sure that the items at the top of your list are the things that relate to being more profitable. Everyone is so proud of being so "busy"...But Are You Making Any Money? Don't be too busy to focus!

I hope you take a look at the quotes I'm sharing from Joanna Gaines this week. Also, check out the summary of last week's business tips and motivational quotes from my Instagram page which you hopefully got to see in real time! If not, let's make sure we're following each other on Instagram!! So...here is this week's roundup of Instagram images of My Top Business Tips and Motivational Quotes.

Joanna Gaines – Tip #1:

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"Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner." – Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Joanna Gaines – Tip #2:

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"If you can't find happiness in the ugliness, you're not going to find it in beauty, either." – Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Joanna Gaines – Tip #3:

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"I always thought that the “thriving” would come when everything was perfect, and what I learned is that it’s actually down in the mess that things get good." – Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Joanna Gaines – Tip #4:

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"I finally believed it was actually a beautiful thing to be unique and to be different." – Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Joanna Gaines – Tip #5:

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"Whether you are in an eight-hundred-square-foot home or living in a dream house on a lake, contentment is found on the way." – Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Let's talk! I'd love to hear if you're a fan of Joanna Gaines!

Joanna Gaines has the perfect entrepreneur-turned-mogul story! If you're an admirer, I would LOVE to hear from you! Anyhoo...I publish these business tips and motivational quotes to get you fired up for your work week!

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And, if you want more business tips, get my book, But Are You Making Any Money? or contact me to really take your business to the next level!

xoxo M

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