150 - Let's Talk About my Favourite Books and Podcasts for 2025

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In this fun, high value CEO-style episode, Laura shares her favourite business books, podcasts and AI tools that are shaping her strategy and success in 2025. 

Why business books matter for designers

• How the right books can reshape the way you think, market, lead and sell
• How to turn book insights into systems you use daily
• How AI can help implement the concepts instantly

Book #1: Building a StoryBrand 2.0 by Donald Miller

• Why StoryBrand is the clearest messaging framework for 2025
• The shift from talking about yourself to spotlighting your client as the hero
• How to rewrite your homepage, services page, bio and scripts with StoryBrand
• How pairing StoryBrand with AI becomes a messaging powerhouse

Book #2: The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes

• The power of focus and consistent action
• Why the Dream 100 strategy works for designers
• Updated insights from Amanda Holmes
• How AI can rewrite scripts, create outreach plans and build sales systems

Book #3: Scorecard Marketing

• How to use quizzes to attract qualified leads
• Why scorecards reveal buying intent and segment your audience
• How AI can write your quiz, interpret results and automate follow-up

Laura’s 2026 Reading List

• They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
• Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt
• The Sales Playbook by Jack Daly
• The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Laura’s Top Podcasts for 2025

• The StoryBrand Podcast
• The Game with Alex Hormozi
• Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
• Aspire with Emma Grede
  Plus bonus entrepreneurial listens for extra motivation.

True Crime Corner

Because designers are allowed a little guilty pleasure too. Laura shares her current binge-worthy listens.

Be sure to follow along on Instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces + @thorntondesign to stay up to date on what we're talking about next week. If you love our podcast, please, please, please leave us a review. If you have any questions or topic ideas OR you wish to be a guest email us [email protected] or find us on instagram @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces

Laura Thornton is the  principle designer of Thornton Design Inc, located in Kleinburg, ON.  Since founding the company in 1999, Laura has been committed to creating a new kind of interior design experience for her clients. Thornton Design is an experienced team of creative talents, focused on curating beautiful residential and commercial spaces in the Toronto, Ontario area and beyond. Now sharing all the years of experience with other interior designers to create a world of collaboration and less competition. 

The Business of Beautiful Spaces  I @thebusinessofbeautifulspaces
Thornton Design                                      I @thorntondesign