Raising The Bar Podcast

Ep 93: Over-the-Top Designs: Are We Losing the Art of Simplicity

Embracing Simplicity in Draping: Why Less is More
 
In this episode of 'Raising the Ball,' host Precious Stevens, affectionately known as the Draping Queen, explores the importance and beauty of simplicity in draping and event design. She discusses how adding excessive elements can detract from the core beauty of a design, advocating instead for a minimalist approach.
 
Precious shares personal insights, industry observations, and the benefits of focusing on clean lines, negative space, and textured materials. She also highlights the value of joining a supportive community and the educational programs she offers for mastering elegant draping techniques. Aimed at both novices and experienced designers, this episode encourages a shift back to basics, arguing that sometimes less truly is more.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Spring Draping Tour: https://poshdrapingdepot.com 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Posh Draping University: https://thedrapingqueen.com/community.
Email: team@learnpremiumdraping.com
 
 
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Introduction: The Beauty of Simplicity in Event Design
01:06 Rediscovering Minimalism in Draping
02:16 The Allure and Pitfalls of Over-the-Top Designs
03:42 Community Feedback and Empowerment
06:15 Personal Journey and Industry Reflections
11:35 Embracing Minimalism in Life and Business
20:26 The Power of Simplicity in Design
23:08 Embracing Simplicity in Design
23:49 Upcoming Classes and Tours
25:54 Finding the Perfect Balance
26:38 Tips for Creating Impactful Designs
29:42 The Importance of Negative Space
30:28 Focusing on Texture and Depth
33:30 Tweaking Your Designs
35:10 Exciting New Developments
36:20 Weekly Virtual Draping Training
40:18 Join the Posh Draping University
41:55 Conclusion and Next Steps

Ep 92: The Pricing Debate: Are Event Designers Undercharging for Luxury Experiences?

Are You Charging Your Worth? Mastering Pricing for Event Designers
In this episode of 'Raise the Ball,' Precious Stevens, known as the draping queen, tackles a critical issue for event designers: pricing your services appropriately. Precious identifies common pitfalls like fear of losing clients, lack of confidence, and underestimating costs, and she offers practical solutions to overcome these challenges. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your worth, creating irresistible packages, and confidently communicating your value. Plus, she introduces her backdrop pricing calculator as a valuable tool for setting accurate prices. The episode concludes with an invitation to join upcoming draping masterclasses and a preview of the next topic on the art of simplicity in design.
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Spring Draping Tour: https://poshdrapingdepot.com 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Email: team@learnpremiumdraping.com
 
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Introduction: Are You Undercharging for Your Services?
00:50 Welcome to Raise the Ball Podcast
01:43 Understanding Your Value and Overcoming Fear
08:32 Common Pricing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
18:32 Pricing Your Services with Confidence
27:34 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts
 

EP. 91: DIY vs. Pro: How to WIN Clients in the Age of Social Media

DIY Culture and How Event Designers Can Thrive In this compelling episode of 'Raising the Bar,' Precious Stevens, the Draping Queen, addresses the challenges event designers face with the rise of DIY culture.
 
She delves into the misconceptions about DIY event design, highlighting the stress, time, and costly mistakes often encountered. Stephens emphasizes the value of professional expertise and provides actionable advice on how designers can showcase their worth, highlight their skills, and offer a premium experience to clients.
 
Tune in to discover how to stand out in a DIY-driven world and prove your unique value as an event design expert.
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Email: team@learnpremiumdraping.com
 
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Introduction and Key Question
00:36 Welcome to Raising the Bar
01:42 The Rise of DIY Brides
05:05 Exposing DIY Myths
11:59 Proving Your Worth
17:46 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

Ep. 90: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Creative Entrepreneur

In this episode of 'Raising the Bar', host Precious Stevens, also known as the Draping Queen, dives into the topic of imposter syndrome. Precious shares personal experiences and actionable tips to help creative entrepreneurs combat feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy.
 
She discusses practical strategies like maintaining a success list, reframing perspectives, continuous learning, and the importance of being part of a supportive community. The episode emphasizes self-empowerment and encourages listeners to share their experiences and accomplishments.
 
Listeners are also invited to join Precious' free Facebook community for draping designers, as well as the 'Raising the Bar Mentorship' for further support and resources.
 
RESOURCES MENTIONED: 
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Email: team@learnpremiumdraping.com
 
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Introduction and Hook
01:45 Understanding Imposter Syndrome
02:51 Reframing Your Perspective
04:16 Practical Strategies to Overcome Imposter Syndrome
05:52 Engagement Questions
06:08 Closing and Call to Action

Ep. 89: Maximize Your Business Income with Digital Products | Raising the Bar Podcast

In this episode of Raising the Bar Podcast with host Precious Stevens, also known as the Draping Queen, we delve into the transformative power of digital products. Precious discusses the frustrations of a jam-packed schedule and the dream of making money in your sleep.
She introduces the concept of digital products like e-courses and online sales as a solution to scale your business without adding more hours to your day. Precious shares her personal journey with digital products, including the significant income boost and work-life balance they provided.
The episode offers practical steps to create and promote winning digital products while emphasizing simplicity and solving problems for your audience. Tune in to learn how you can take your business to the next level in 2025.
RESOURCES MENTION
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Email: team@learnpremiumdraping.com
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction: The Daily Grind
00:46 Welcome to Raising the Ball Podcast
01:09 The Power of Digital Products
01:56 Why Go Digital?
02:42 My Journey into Digital Products
07:16 Creating Simple and Effective Digital Products
17:39 Promoting Your Digital Product
25:04 Conclusion: Embrace the Digital Future
27:29 Next Week: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Ep. 88: The Rise of AI in Event Design: Will Robots Steal Your Job

Harnessing AI for Event Design: Efficiency, Creativity, and Human Touch In this episode of 'Raising the Ball' podcast, host Precious Stevens dives into the impact of AI on the events industry, emphasizing that AI can be a valuable ally rather than a threat.
She discusses how AI can automate tasks such as creating mood boards, designing floor plans, and handling client communication, thereby freeing up time for designers to focus on the creative aspects of their work. Precious also highlights the pros and cons of AI, stressing its efficiency and data-driven insights while acknowledging the potential loss of personal touch and originality. Listeners are encouraged to embrace AI as an assistant, not a replacement, and to find ways to blend technology with human connection to enhance their design processes.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
 
Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction to AI in Event Design
00:28 Welcome to Raising the Ball Podcast
01:06 Understanding AI in Event Design
01:40 Embracing AI: Tools and Techniques
05:10 Pros and Cons of AI
18:48 Staying Ahead with AI
21:43 Conclusion and Community Engagement

Ep. 87: Premium Draping: Are Premium Clients Still Willing to Pay

Unlocking the Secrets to Selling Premium Luxury Backdrops
In this episode of 'Raising the Bar,' Precious Stevens, also known as the Draper Queen, dives into the world of premium luxury backdrops and draping.
 
As demand soars, Precious debunks myths about tight budgets and shares her personal success in the industry. She explains what truly defines premium draping and offers invaluable tips on positioning yourself for high-value clients. Practical advice includes scrutinizing your portfolio, creating impactful content, and leveraging consultations.
 
Tune in to learn how to elevate your draping services and attract top-tier clients. Stay tuned for next week's episode on the impact of AI in event design.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Backdrop Color Pairing Training: https://draping4dollars.com/color 
Backdrop Pricing Calculator: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/pricing-calculator
 
Timestamp:
00:00 Introduction: The Demand for Luxury Backdrops
00:36 Debunking Myths: Premium Clients Are Still Spending
02:06 Defining Premium Backdrops and Luxury Draping
04:17 Creating the Ultimate Luxury Experience
05:09 Homework: Evaluating Your Portfolio and Pricing
08:40 Staying Ahead of Trends: Baroque Draping
11:09 Partnering for Success
12:36 Positioning Yourself for Premium Sales
14:57 Content Creation: Showcasing Your Skills
16:15 Engaging with Clients: Consultations and Mockups
26:47 Conclusion: Elevate Your Brand and Services
 

Ep. 86: How to Turn Difficult Clients into Dream Clients for Your Creative Business

Mastering Difficult Clients: Strategies for Success In this episode of Raising the Bar, host Precious Stevens tackles the challenging topic of managing difficult clients. Precious shares her personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear boundaries and processes from the get-go.
She provides practical strategies for transforming challenging clients into loyal supporters by setting firm guidelines, learning to say no confidently, and continuously improving business processes through client feedback. Precious also invites viewers to share their own experiences with difficult clients, fostering community and mutual learning.
The episode concludes with a preview of next week's topic on crafting irresistible client packages.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Backdrop Pricing Calculator: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/pricing-calculator
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
Backdrop Color Pairing Training: https://draping4dollars.com/color 
 
Timestamp:
00:00 Welcome to Raising the Bar
00:26 Understanding Difficult Clients
01:17 Stop Blaming the Client
05:07 Setting Boundaries and Office Hours
09:24 The Power of Saying No
14:29 Transforming Challenging Clients
18:53 Share Your Stories
20:30 Wrapping Up and Next Episode Preview

Ep. 85: 3 Ways to Build Client Loyalty: Strategies for Repeat Bookings in 2025

Building Client Loyalty: The Secret to Event Draping Success In this episode of Raising the Bar, host Precious Stephens, the self-proclaimed draping queen, delves into the importance of building client loyalty for sustainable business success.
Precious shares personal anecdotes and actionable strategies to transform one-time clients into repeat customers. From creating unforgettable experiences with handwritten notes and surprise upgrades to following up post-event and engaging on social media, Precious provides a comprehensive guide to making clients feel valued and appreciated.
She emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of retaining existing clients over finding new ones and offers practical tips for staying top-of-mind without being intrusive. Tune in to learn how to build rock-solid client loyalty that will have clients praising your services and coming back for more.
Resources Mentioned:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
 
00:00 Welcome to Raising the Bar
00:31 Building Client Loyalty
01:15 Why Most Businesses Get Loyalty Wrong
03:20 Creating an Unforgettable Experience
06:59 Staying Top of Mind Without Being Annoying
09:27 Share Your Client Loyalty Wins
10:06 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

Ep 84: Starting the Year Right: Pricing Strategies for Premium Clients in 2025

In this episode of the Raising the Bar podcast, Precious Stevens, also known as the Draping Queen, guides listeners through the essentials of commanding premium rates in the event draping industry. She covers the importance of pricing as a reflection of service quality and provides actionable steps for setting and communicating premium prices effectively.
Precious also emphasizes the significance of confidence in pricing and offers strategies such as packaging services to enhance revenue. Listeners are encouraged to audit their current prices, test higher rates, and practice discussing these prices confidently. Additionally, the episode introduces a pricing calculator tool designed to help event drapers set competitive rates effortlessly. Tune in to learn how to align your services with their true value and elevate your event design business in 2025.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Event Draping Pricing Calculator: https://draping4dollars.com/pricing-calculator 
Raising The Bar Mentorship: https://learnpremiumdraping.com/mentorship 
 
Chapters:
00:00 Welcome to Raising the Bar Podcast
00:27 Recap of Last Week's Episode
00:51 The Importance of Premium Pricing
02:29 Setting Your Premium Prices
04:29 Building Value into Your Packages
06:24 Overcoming the Fear of Charging More
09:13 Actionable Steps to Boost Your Pricing Confidence
10:25 Introducing the Pricing Calculator
11:33 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview