What's Your Door?
My tagline is "Opening Doors for Designers" so I am wondering... what is your door? In other words, what is your biggest obstacle to achieving more success and joy in your decorating business? I'd like to help take your obstacle away - but I need to know what it is!
Post any challenges, questions, comments...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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3 comments:
Hi Nika- Love the blog, love your inspiration in general! My biggest obstacle is actually knowing HOW to grow... After a year and a half (and mostly due to a wonderful opportunity to do a designer showhouse from the ground up) I'm at a point that I have more business that I can handle individually- I have raised my rates twice, but still need to expand. However, the thought of having a employee (or employees) is kind of daunting! I also know that my name, style, and personality are the main reasons clients choose me- how can I "duplicate myself" and be able to deliver what clients expect if another person is "representing" me? What steps did other designers take to successfully transition to creating a larger firm? I'd love some insight on this- thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I can't say I'm on the other side of the question from DesignDiva - my business is younger that yours - but as self-employed business owners we own our own jobs. We are still trading time for dollars, like an employee, and we haven't yet duplicated ourselves in any way. So one of the challenges, as the business grows and income increases, is to ask, what am I spending time on that I could hire someone to do, and therefore free up time to do what I do best? I asked a brother-in-law on how he brought in partners into his small business, and his answer was "very slowly: it's like a marriage. You have to go slowly so you are sure you can work together." However, that doesn't mean you couldn't bring in an intern, or partner with another design firm on large projects, with you having the design lead. Many corporations do this - they get the contracts, and then round up team partners.
I look forward to reading other ideas.
Nika, I am still a student and will likely be moving to an entirely new state by the time I am ready to 'become' a designer. What suggestions do you have for someone to break into a totally new area, where you know no one?
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