In this episode of Top Branch, Ruth Ann Janson and Beth Bender have a conversation on the power of grit and the importance of showing up as a small business leader. They discuss how perseverance, hard work, and credibility impact client loyalty, team retention, and overall success. Ruth Ann and Beth share insights from influential books like Grit by Angela Duckworth and Bounce by Malcolm Gladwell, and highlight how engaging with your industry and investing in your team can propel growth.

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In this episode of TopBranch, Ruth Ann Janson is joined by Janet Marcum, CPA and Partner at Van Wunnik & Marcum LLC, to discuss key tax preparation considerations for interior designers and small businesses. While not a substitute for professional tax advice, this episode offers practical insights to help you feel more organized and prepared when tax season arrives.

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In this episode of TopBranch, we explore Cash Availability and how to manage cash flow for a thriving interior design business. Get practical strategies to make informed financial decisions and keep your projects on track. Whether you're new or experienced, you'll find valuable insights to build a stronger financial foundation.

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Get practical advice on choosing vendors that fit your project’s needs, evaluating their performance, and cultivating partnerships that keep work flowing smoothly. Perfect for interior designers, project leads, and business owners looking to sharpen their vendor selection process and strengthen collaboration.

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Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode will help you unlock the full potential of your most important resource—your people.

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Discover how small businesses can lead with empathy in our episode, “Communicating with Compassion: Crisis Strategies for Small Business Owners,” featuring Teddie Garrigan, co‑founder of Dallas-based design firm Coco & Dash. She shares real-world techniques and hands-on advice for navigating challenges with care, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. Tune in for an inspiring, practical discussion that can strengthen your brand—even in difficult times.

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In this TopBranch episode we tackle a key decision for interior designers: professional studio or home office? Join us as we weigh costs, client impressions, and creative flow to find the best workspace for your design business.

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In today’s episode, we’re exploring what it means to be real and refined in the world of professional social media. As we scroll through our feeds, it’s easy to spot the polished, perfectly curated profiles—but where does authenticity fit in? How do you balance professionalism with personality, ensuring your online presence is both credible and compelling?

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In today’s episode, we’re discussing one of the most sensitive—and strategic—aspects of running a design firm: managing price changes. Whether you're navigating rising vendor costs, reevaluating your service rates, or preparing clients for project updates, we’ll walk you through best practices for communicating with clarity and confidence. Tune in as we share real-world insights, practical tools, and mindset shifts that help you maintain trust, protect your margins, and lead with professionalism.

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Welcome to Top Branch—a video series by The Dove Agency where we share ideas, insights, and conversations with industry experts designed to help you run your business with more clarity, confidence, and creativity. From smart back-office strategies to inspired guest interviews, we're here to support the branches of your business that keep it thriving.

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