My business is a little over a year old now. Crazy to me. I get lots and lots of emails from people asking for advice on starting up a business. Specifically an Interior Design business. It’s hard for me to know what to say because SO MUCH of what I’ve learned really had to be learned through experience. I’ve made tons and tons of mistakes along the way. Some little and some big. Here are a few of the biggest things I’ve learned.
Lesson #1: You can be picky
At the beginning I took any and every client that was remotely interested in hiring me. I think this was good starting out because I needed to learn to work with all kinds of different people. Most of my clients have been amazing to work with and I consider them truly great people. But no designer can escape difficult clients. I had one client who literally made me cry. Clients like that make you doubt your abilities and your talent. Suddenly I was thinking to myself, “Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this after-all.” I have to remind myself sometimes not to take things personally. If someone doesn’t like a design I’ve come up with then it just wasn’t the right fit. There are plenty of people out there who do like what I do and for them I’m grateful.
Luckily I’m to the point where I can choose who I work with. I am not the breadwinner in my family so I have the luxury to turn down jobs if I don’t want them. I work purely because I love what I do and if a client starts to make me hate my job it’s no longer worth it to me. I’ve learned that I can be picky with who I choose to work with. If I feel like it’s not a great fit from the beginning I always refer my clients to someone else who I feel would be a better fit for them.
Lesson #2: Hire Interns!
I have the most amazing interns. Lauren and Kim are superstars in my book. I seriously don’t know how I did this before I had them. My primary goal in working from home was to actually work from home as much as possible. Yes, there are times when I need to meet with clients or run errands myself but I try to do as much from home as possible. My family is my main priority and I hate to have to spend time away from them if I don’t need to. This is where my magical interns come in. I have them run errands, pick up samples, pick out fabrics, drop off pillows to clients, run to stores looking for the perfect accessories, drop off and pick up checks, run to the bank, the post-office etc! I feel like it’s a win-win situation for all of us. They are learning the ins-and-outs of the business and I am getting to spend more time doing actual design work.
A past e-design board
Lesson#3: E-Design is Hard
There are many benefits to E-design. I get to work more from home and I get to work with people from all over the world. However, it’s very tricky to create a room from scratch without ever being in it and without ever meeting with the client. There are a few things I’ve learned from past experience that have helped me a lot. With my first e-design jobs I suggested fabrics that looked good in theory or on my computer screen but I’ve since learned I need to see the fabrics in person. Fabric online can look totally different than it does in person. Colors and scale can be totally off. So if the project and time allows I’ll always make a trip out to the showroom or order in samples to make sure that they actually do look good in person.
I try and get as much information up front from my clients. What they love, what they hate, what their husbands can’t stand, what rooms make them drool etc. I keep a running list of what needs to be sourced and then slowly I start to check things off. Once everything is checked off I consider the project done. But there are always loose ends to tie up just like any other design project. I also like to keep checking in on my e-design clients to make sure the room is turning out the way they hoped.
Lesson #4: Trust Yourself
I remember my very first design consultation I was scared to death. She was asking me SO many questions and I was trying to tell her what she wanted to hear. What I’ve since realized is that clients hire you to push them and make them think outside of their comfort zone. I will tell my clients exactly what I think now. I always try my best to be a good listener and see the room from a clients point of view but at the same time if they are doing something I don’t agree with I’ll let them know. I feel like if they are going to be paying me for my opinion I need to give it to them. This is has been a hard thing for me to learn but I trust myself a lot more now. Overall I know I have good instincts when it comes to design and I need to remind myself of that often.
These have been the biggest things I’ve learned so far.
Honestly I never expected my business to grow as fast as it has. It’s all I can do to feel on top of things most of the time. The emails get out of control, I still don’t feel like I make a lot of money, my office is ALWAYS a mess, it’s hard to sleep at night because I am constantly thinking about work and my clients and I have a hard time balancing everything but at the end of the day I just love it. I mean like really really love it. Every now and then I’ll have moments where I feel limitless. Like I can do anything! Those are the moments where I dream bigger.
I really have no idea where it’s all going to take me. That is still a guessing game for me. I always tell myself that I’ll keep working as long as it feels right. Hopefully it feels right for a long time….
Congratulations on the success of your business! These are great tips for anyone starting out in the business world.
Thank you for writing this post! I'm currently trying to start my own business and reading your post really makes me think that I can get to a point where I can say, I did it! I love reading your blog and seeing all of the amazing design work you do – it's such inspiration to me. Thanks again so much for this post!
Girl, I'm right there with you–lots of sleepless nights, etc. 🙂 But, I do love it and am definitely learning along the way. One other thing I might add is to have confidence in what your design is worth and charge for it! Or else, it becomes a big volunteer job. . . Have also learned that the hard way.
It sounds like you are on the ball ~ great job growing your business so quickly ~ and you are smart to get interns to help you run the errands!!
Sound advice. It is not easy balancing everything but loving what you do is most important. Some day your family will thank you, too..my kids are older but I have made some sacrifices for them since they were little and am home for them a lot.
Dear Kirsten, I've been your follower for quite sometime and also started my own decoration business 3 years ago (besides the tv show I produce and do as a decorator). I can relate to every single one of your items and I think it is amazing that even living in different countries and cultures things are so much the same. My business also grew very fast and I even suffered from the anxiety of not being able to help everybody because (and I would add that to your list) your interns, I have 2 going to 3 next month. They can never do your creative job only errands. They get very good at it but you always have to check up on everything, right? I've also had some clients who almost made me cry and I also suffer from the clients who think that if they are paying the tv decorator to do it, I have to be in every single step of the process and can't send my assistant! Anyway, Thank you for sharing these with us because you definitely put into words what most of designers think about running this business. Take care!
What a great, honest post Kirsten. I really enjoy hearing about your experiences and how your hard work pays off for you in that you truly love what you do. It's probably hard for you to believe it's only been a year (kind of like parenthood) it all goes so fast even though in actuality it hasn't been that long at all. Keep up the great work that you do.
I love this post. You are amazing. It makes me feel less crazy that you have gone through the same stresses I experience sometimes… a lot of times, actually!
Thanks for sharing what you went through. Your blog is one of my favorites and you are such an inspiration. I am hoping one day I can be where you are. Thank you!
I loved reading this! You are definitely an inspiration to me 🙂
Thanks for writing this. It's definitely an encouragement to hear, and although I'm sure (like you said) I will have to learn a lot from my own experiences, it's nice to get a heads up as to what I may have in store. I love your blog and love your designs, they are a constant source of inspiration. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for this blog post. I am running a design business but it is still very new. Hearing what you've learned from your experience is very helpful! If only it were as easy as just having instructions….having the guts to just go do it and learn along the way is admirable. Congratulations!!
So needed to read this today! Thank you for sharing and i really need to consider that intern idea! How exciting how much your business has grown in just a year. You've got such an eye for design and its not going unnoticed! *hugs*
This was a great post. I loved reading this, and getting an insight into owning your own business. Thanks for sharing!
hi
lovely post, love your testimony 😀
i wish became a decorator :), i'm studying yet but its my passion ! 🙂
Santi
santiroyalhome.blogspot.com
Congrats on your flourishing business! Your blog and designs have been a constant inspiration. Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts and insights about running your own design business. You rock, girl!
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
This is great advice! Thanks for taking the time to put out helpful information for fledgling new businesses 🙂
Thank you for sharing this post. I got referred to a friend of a friend and ended up getting my first non relative client at the zoo one day. A little sooner than I had ever intended. I told her I was learning too. So far it has been a dream but I do feel like a fish out of water with the process. Especially with sourcing and the business end. But, all in all there is probably no better way to learn. I also just loved looking at all the gorgeous fabric in your post. Thanks so much!
JUST found ur blog – and this post got me hooked! – hope u can become a "friend" back!
i'm SOOOO looking into opening my own biz – this is fantastic post!!!
*kiss kiss*
Erika~Tiptoe Butterfly~
Thank you for your honesty! I have just recently (this summer) begun having more "official" or "paid" decorating gigs. The purpose of them, in my eyes, is to not only build my portfolio but to give me a taste of what to expect once I finally graduate. Already, I have learned some very important business lessons that are invaluable. Design students don't realize all that goes on behind the scenes in the business (I know I don't know it all yet either!) so thank you, again, for sharing what you've learned:)
Great advice and insight for a new designer such as myself. I can relate to a lot of what you have learned!
Chlvie
Kirsten, I think you had major guts to start your own business right out of school. I would have never done that! Just now, after working for 3 different design companies am I at the point where I want to open my own business to be home with Lydia. It is still scares me! I give you major props! And yes…I would hate it when I couldn't sleep at night because I was thinking about a project! Sometimes though, that's when I have gotten some of the best ideas! Hope all is well in SLC…it so weird that Phill and I don't live there anymore!
Great, honest post! I definitely hear you on all points. I haven't quite figured out how to afford to pay interns while still making a tiny bit of money myself (when averaged out in hours or overall project) and how to insure them a certain amount of hours… maybe if I pack in more clients… still getting that figured out. Great advice on fabrics and on being picky. I've even learned so much business wise – what it takes to get set up to do payroll and so on… Thanks for sharing!
Very good point about being paid for your opinion. Sometimes I am afraid to hurt a client's feelings about something that is the wrong scale or worn out or just ugly. But I find when I am firm about something, it's almost like they are relieved. Glad to know someone else is still thinking about projects while trying to sleep (sometimes I get my best ideas then).
thanks for sharing this! you seem to be very on top of it, and i think it can only get better from here!
Thanks for sharing this Kirsten! Your work, business and blog have always been an inspiration to me. This post in particular is very helpful.
I'm taking an interior decorating certificate in the evenings, and hope to start my own business out of my home as well. One because I love it, but also because we just welcomed our baby girl, and I can't imagine having to go back to work (in a job that was not for me), and have someone else care for her!
I'll always look to you as an inspiration! 🙂
I agree with Emily Clark too! But trusting yourself is key!
Amazing post! Loved the things you wrote about
I'm not a designer, but you really inspire me to go after my own dreams. With small children, I usually feel like it's easier to put everything on the back burner until they grow, but I think I'll be a better mother while pursuing my other passions. Thank you! And keep it coming! 🙂
As a decorator who is 3 months into full-time business ownership, I loved reading this post. Some of these things I think I picked up right off the bat (after 2 years of doing design work on the side) and others I'll have to keep in mind as I move forward. Thank you for reflecting and sharing!
Thanks for sharing your tips! I love reading about small businesses, their success stories, and what the owners have learned along the way. I'd love to start my own business one day and will keep these tips in mind even though I'm not thinking interior decorating.
I have just started my own design business and these tips are invaluable. It is inspiring to see how much your business has grown in a year. Thanks for sharing this great advice!
One of my favorite posts you have done yet love. I am proud of you. Love, Husband…
I can completely relate to your post! I started my design business 3 years ago and I feel like I am finally hitting my stride. When I started out, and would get frustrated, I just kept telling myself to give it 5 years to go through the learning curve. And I would think about how far I would come over time. I am so thankful for the things that I have learned along the way…but there have certainly been a few stressful days!
Ok…that comment from your husband is the cutest thing ever. I completely agree with everything you said…100% and I have not come near as far as you have. I think the confidence thing is seriously such a huge, huge factor because there really will always be people that love and always be people that don't love what you do so the most important is that you believe in it. Oh…and the being honest part…such a struggle, but so true. They come to us to get real advice and most of the time take our advice. You're awesome.
Wow! This was an amazing post.I recently jumped into a big project that I gained a lot of exposure from. I'm SCARED TO DEATH! Thank you for calming my nerves 🙂 Congrats on the successful business; I'm sure it will continue to flourish!
Please for Christ sake help this poor boy from Haiti.
Great, honest post! I have learned over the past few years of owning my own biz that experience is the best teacher…and you determine your own value! Congrats and best of luck as you continue to grow!
I am right there with you! The past two years I've seen my business grow and have learned a ton. Wish we could get together over tea from time to time to swap notes!
My intern has been such a HUGE help this summer – losing her in September. Might have to put out a note like yours on my blog to get help this fall.
Keep up the amazing work!!!
xo,
cristin
Well said! You make the business look so effortless, that's a good thing. Thank you for your honesty and passion for design.
http://ozondahdesign.blogspot.com
kirsten, congrats on such a booming business. you are so incredibly talented. i appreciate your honest ideas about what it takes to run a business. now that i'm local, i'd love to meet up!! xo.
I love this post, Kirsten. You're so inspiring! I want to be right where you're at some day…finished with design school, have a family, and a business all at the same time. I know it will be tough, but my passion for design and the home, and families is what drives this dream of mine. It's been so wonderful reading these tips, working for Cristin (simplified bee) for the summer, and learning a lot through blogs and school. I'm so excited to do what I love for the rest of my life, just like you!
Well, if you don't trust yourself, who would? It's important to trust yourself because self-doubt could lead to your business's downfall. Actually, every business encounters a rough patch. But overcoming them can give you a sense of accomplishment.