I recently read an article about the top business trends for 2017 and was blown away by the results. In a report done by business trend expert Lynn Casey she says . . .
"2017 will be a year like no other. The world is spinning quickly and our sense of control over global events is at an all time low. People will be turning inward and longing for safety, security and sanctuary. They will seek this out in self-care, small groups, creating sustenance and beauty in their homes and seeking out thought leaders who present a feminine perspective on the world.
It's an amazing opportunity for women entrepreneurs to show up in service to these needs."
Cocooning and Hygge ( the danish practice of making your home cozy and charming ) was the #1 trend for business in 2017.
Even I can relate to these trends. I often move things around my home just so that I can have pretty little nooks to get cozy in. It feels good to me to have a home that I am in love with.
I know so many people that desire a cozy and comforting home right now. . .I wish I could service them all.
Which is why NOW is an incredible time to be an interior designer or decorator.
It's been an honor for me in these past several years to be among the many passionate and purposeful interior designers of the world. Those always looking to make the world a more beautiful place. Now days instagram has changed the decoration landscape with inspiration shared virally and a behind the scenes look at how the stylish really live. I absolutely love it.
I often think about the women who reach out to me on a daily basis looking for advice to start an interior design or decorating business. I felt in my gut that it was time I created something to quench that thirst of knowledge. I know first hand just what it feels like to have a burning passion to create beautiful spaces and looking for anything and everything that could serve me.
If any of this feels familiar to you, I created the course 'The Paid Decorator' just for you.
You may have a great eye for designing and decorating interiors but the key thing to realize is that it is an actual business and you have to treat it accordingly. It may seem as if some people just become sensations overnight, however, that is hardly the case.
If you haven't already, you must download 10 things you MUST KNOW before starting your interior decorating business.
I see so many blog posts out there with helpful tools and information. However, at this point they seem pretty generic. . .build a beautiful website, start a blog, get a killer photography, grow your instagram following, blah, blah, blah. For me, it just goes so much deeper than that. In order to build a business that is sustainable, you have to be able to create a structure that provides you to live the lifestyle that you desire. You have to be crystal clear on your vision for your brand and your business model.
Here are 3 things to consider before starting your own design/decor based business:
1. KNOW YOUR WHY
When I work with my private coaching clients, one of the first things we always nail down is the WHY behind the business you desire. It's not enough to just want to design & decorate, you have to know WHY you are choosing this path. Success is not impossible when you have a deep passion and purpose behind the work that you do. What type of lifestyle do you desire? What does your dream schedule look like? It's important to practice gaining clarity on exactly what you want. That way you will have a much easier time attaining your lifestyle and business goals.
2. KNOW WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO SERVE
We all have a story; where we came from, what our interests are, what our unique journey taught us. It's incredible that there are billions of us out there in the world yet no two people are just alike and have the same desires, history, levels of emotion, etc. When I was stuck in a major rut within my own business, it was important that I got even more clarity when it came to who I truly desired to serve in the world.
When I first began, I would take any client that came to me. Family friends, blog readers, etc. I made the mistake of not realizing that I needed to create a specific list of attributes for the people who I really wanted to serve. If you aren't open to allowing me to design your home for optimal beauty, energy, growth and bliss, then you aren't the client for me. It was hard for me to really realize the importance of who I really feel called the serve. It makes my work more enjoyable.
3. DEFINE YOUR DESIRED BUSINESS MODEL
Once you have figured out your why and who you are meant to serve, you can begin to determine what you want your business model to look like. Your business model will be your support when you are presenting your services and how you work. Having that structure will clear out random clients and pierce right into the people who need what you do and how you do it. You will clearly identify HOW you want to be of service in the world. For example, perhaps you want to create a lifestyle of travel and adventure but still desire to design beautiful spaces? Perhaps an e-design business will work best for you.
