Season 3 Ep 68: How Education is the New Advantage with Special Guest Veronika Miller

Industry events are not vacations, designers can utilize these trips to create relationships with vendors. In this episode, Cheryl speaks LIVE from KBIS and sits down with special guest, Veronika Miller, to break down how designers can use events like KBIS and High Point as business accelerators instead of exhausting field trips. Taking time out of busy schedules to attend these events go beyond walking showrooms and collecting samples. It is about positioning, visibility, strategic networking, and understanding how proximity to manufacturers, media, and fellow designers directly impacts revenue.They discuss how to prepare before you go, how to show up with intention, and how to follow up in a way that turns conversations into opportunity. The designers who see real return are not simply attending but instead building relationships, strengthening partnerships, and placing themselves in rooms that can change the trajectory of their business.If you are going to invest the time and money to attend industry events, this episode will show you how to make it count.About Our Guest: Veronika MillerVeronika Miller is the CEO of M2 Connect and founder of Designhounds, a curated community that brings together designers and manufacturers to build meaningful, profitable partnerships.With more than 25 years of experience in the design and construction industries, Veronika is known for connecting brands and designers in ways that disrupt gently and drive real business growth. Through their standout programs like Designhounds, DesignTrail and the company's strategic consulting work, she helps professionals expand their influence, build stronger relationships, and leverage their visibility within the industry.Learn more about Veronika and her programs:🔗 M2-connectHomeHave a question--click here to ask us.RESOURCE LINKS:Damn Good Workshops - WebsiteFirst workshop of 2026 starts January 14!These workshops are 2–3 hour deep dives (some more than one day) built for creative entrepreneurs who want to lead with confidence, price with authority, and grow with intention. We created this workshop series with tracks that cover the challenges we know designers face: pricing, sales, client relationships, project management, marketing, and leadership.Each workshop is designed to stand alone — so you can choose the topics that matter most right now — while still connecting to the bigger picture of building a profitable, sustainable design business.Damn Good Designer - Damn Good Designer - WebsiteThe best multi-faceted business coaching for Interior designers—seriously. This is not some wham-bam glamathon; It is the real deal you have been looking for and what is missing from the business coaching marketplace today.The Paradigm Quick Start - 3 Month Custom Coaching ProgramThe Paradigm Shift - 6 Month Custom Coaching ProgramThe Paradigm Intensive - 12 Month One on One Immersive Custom Business CoachingJoin our FREE Facebook GroupsSmall Business - Think Big - FacebookWhat They Didn't Teach You in Design School - Facebook GroupFor designers who need honest talk and a place to work on the business, marketing and promotion small business owners need.Subsc