This time of year is always exciting for me because it’s another anniversary as an interior designer. Each year I’m just so excited to see how my business has evolved and I can’t believe I’m now celebrating 17 years. So, I thought I’d share what’s been great and the main challenges I’ve overcome. Remember to look out for my top tips and embarrassing photos…
1) THE EARLY YEARS
First of all, here’s an early photo of me trying to look as if I know what I’m doing.
The first years of business were hard because I was juggling childcare, for my two young children, trying to build my client base and also identifying my brand.
At the time, a local business scheme offered free courses on every aspect of starting a business – from invoicing, to knowing your worth and putting together a marketing strategy – so I set aside my first month to attend all 27 courses. They were full of informative and fundamental business skills.
TOP TIP:
For large projects, invoice frequently to ensure your client is committing to regular payments
and you have a flow of income.
Even after all the marketing and branding courses, I found it really difficult to choose a name for my company, so I settled on my initials with GA Interiors. I loved the colour pink, because it was feminine and motherly, and the logo symbolised a splash of creativity.
All these years later, I still love pink because it’s nurturing and welcoming. I realise that it represents my caring side to not only design a new room but also give my clients a happier lifestyle. Your health and wellness is now fundamental to my interior designs.
TOP TIP:
Choose branding colours that speak to your heart.
My branding colour scheme focuses on highlights of pink balanced with neutral black, grey and white.
2) MY FIRST CLIENTS
My first clients lived around the corner from me, and were a kind recommendation from a neighbour.
They were extending their home, with a double storey side extension, to create two extra bedrooms. They were looking for ideas and inspiration on colour, lighting, furniture, and particularly wanted Traditional English without the ‘tweeness’.
It was a great first project to get stuck into, but I’m embarrassed to show you my very first mood board. It was before the lovely internet apps of Canva when the vibe was more Blue Peter, with sticking and cutting magazine pictures onto card.
Throughout the project, the colour scheme developed in intensity, and I think it turned out gorgeous, with a calm and serene home balanced with a pop of vibrancy.
Over the 17 years, my clients have enjoyed their home so much that, now they’re downsizing, they’ve asked me to design their new home. I feel so blessed working alongside them again to create their family friendly cottage with modern highlights. It’s gong to be fun.
TOP TIP:
Look at how you’ll maintain client relationships.
I send thank you cards after my projects complete, add clients to my regular Design Digest,
and send personally written Christmas cards every year.
3) MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS
My designs and expert comments are featured in magazines and, in the days when they were in print, I’d post a copy to my mum. She had a trendy rack beside the sofa, filled with my featured magazines that she’d whip out whenever anyone visited. A proud momma.
Now that we have digital publications, I’m always proud to be featured for my design expertise.
TOP TIP:
Consider what will set you apart and elevate your business against your competition.
4) RADIO DESIGN SESSIONS
When I first started my business, and entered the scary world of networking, I joined the public speaking group Toastmasters and now I’m gold standard. It gave me a safe space, which increased my confidence to stand up and present myself to others. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a great first impression.
Speaking in public became my personal challenge, so I said YES to an opportunity to talk monthly on an interior design feature for a local radio station.
It was really interesting and exciting talking live to an audience that I couldn’t see. Great training for my podcast, ‘Memories To Cherish’.
My podcast is having a break at the moment but I hope to recover it later in the year.
TOP TIP:
Talk about your specialist topics that have flair without relying on visuals,
eg: colour trends or working from home.
5) GRAND DESIGNS
For the past 7 years, I’ve been asked to speak at the GRAND DESIGNS LIVE shows (Excel, London) as an interior design expert.
Each year the topic’s changed, but my favourite talk was on kitchen trends when the stage was an actual kitchen. I felt so at home.
TOP TIP:
Bums on seats shows you’re engaging the audience as they stop and listen.
6) WRITE IT DOWN
After speaking professionally, on various platforms, it made me realise how much I also love writing, so it was time to write my first interior design book – A Home to Cherish.
I dedicated the book to my father who was the spark to my interior design career. As he lost his battle with cancer, he showed me the importance of family bonds, which is why #familyfirst and nurturing my clients has been instilled deep in my heart.
Writing the book was a very emotional journey but I was helped with the support of my writers group: Watling Street Writers. Not only did they help review my chapters but they also gave me a safe space to grieve through the writing process.
TOP TIP:
Finding your tribe will keep you accountable and get you through anything.
7) PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION
After a few years building my interior design practice, I heard about BIID – the British Institute of Interior design – which is the only professional institute for interior designers in the UK. For accreditation I had to show a high standard of knowledge across the legal, financial and design aspects of the profession. At the time, I had my practice for 10 years with many successful projects, so I was able to showcase my interior skills, design knowledge and business acumen. Of course I still had imposter syndrome during the panel interview, but this is the day I found out that I’d passed. Woop, woop.
Now I mentor interior designers who are working towards BIID accreditation. It’s feels so rewarding giving mentees professional help and guidance to improve and grow as interior designers. It reminds me of my own early struggles, like how to manage scope creep and what to say to calm an emotional client.
TOP TIP:
Guiding others also nurtures self growth.
17 years has been a whirlwind of stress and anxiety to build my business knowledge and design skills, but it’s been coupled with such joy and excitement meeting new clients and creating lifelong friendships.
In my next blog I’ll share highlights of my favourite client projects.
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