8 inspiring interior design related career paths that you can start on your own today

If you have a passion for interior design but haven’t gone to school for it and wish you could work in the industry? You’re in luck! I am going to share with a few that will MASSIVELY inspire you.

I can remember my days before I had my own business, I used to dream about working in interior design. My obsession with Architectural Digest magazine began when I was just 11 years old. My mom used to keep them in the guest bathroom and I would hide in there and read them every single day.

I was also in love with interior design & decorating books and would spend weekends at Barnes & Nobles devouring anything and everything decorating & design. 

While working sales jobs and desk jobs were my reality, feeling drained and over worked, I would read magazines that left me feeling so inspired by the fabulous & bold women who ran their own businesses. I vividly remember having the gut feeling and deep desire to someday have my own business but I never knew how or where to get started. 

Fast forward many years, 2008 to be exact. I had just gotten laid off from my job in hotel development in Beverly Hills and I was living off of unemployment and needed something to do with my time. So, I started a blog all about decorating my small apartment in West Hollwood. I became absolutely obsessed with it because I had finally found a way to express my love for interior design through blogging about it. (if you would like to learn how to start a profitable & popular blog, read this post here)

And after years of building, growing, nurturing my blog into a full on thriving interior design business, I realized something very BIG.

You don't have to be a "designer or decorator" to create a thriving career in the world of interiors. There are so many incredible avenues you can take in the world of decorating.  If you have been thinking of making your own move into the world of interiors, allow these 7 fabulous stories inspire you to take the leap and make your own mark in the game. 

Hot tip: creating an unforgettable personal brand is key to helping you take your passion and turn it into a thriving online business. This is something you could start today to give you a head start. Grab my FREE guide here.

7 inspiring interior design related careers that you can start on your own:

1. Brittany Cobb - Flea Style : I first spotted this gal on the Everygirl and promptly attended one of FleaStyle's markets in Houston, Tx. With a strong passion for all things vintage, bohemian and 'flea-market', she created a boutique & stylishly curated flea market filled the hottest 'local' handmakers, custom products and even an online marketplace. In just a couple of years she has grown her business to showing vendors from all over the world and even creating its own custom line. 

As a girl who grew up in antique markets & always found a love for the art of the hunt, this job would totally be right up my alley! How fun to create a brand and business based on your biggest passion? Read this write up on Glitter Guide to let yourself get inspired by this awesome biz. 

LESSON LEARNED: Flea Markets are everywhere, but that didn't stop Mrs. Cobb. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box. Just because there might be other people doing what you have an idea for, you can create and tailor your idea in a whole new way! 

2. Boutique E-commerce: Arianna Belle - Bespoke pillows : I first met Arianna back when I was living in Los Angeles. We were both decor bloggers just starting out and figuring out how to grow and build a brand. With the passion for posh and organized interiors, I knew she was sure to be a sensation. She used her resources, eye for trends in decor and launched a boutique business of custom designer pillows. 

My home has several of Arianna's pillows including the classic leopard velvet & bengal bazaar. Her online business has grown to be featured in almost every home you see in the magazines these days. Her organization, attention to detail and variety in custom sizes made her business stand out. She definitely has made her mark on the industry. 

LESSON LEARNED: When deciding what sort of path to pave in the world of interiors and decorating, draw from your personal values. Arianna leaned toward organized and tailored interiors. Her selection of designer fabrics and high end fabrics help to pull together any room for a tailored look. 

3. Watercolor artist: Jessica Rowe - The Aestate : If you haven't seen one of Jessica's prints before, I'd be shocked. You may have noticed her feature in Issue 3 of ISTA magazine. This decor blogger turned decorator turned watercolor artist has definitely made a huge stamp in the decorating world. After creating a vast collection of hip and trendy water color prints, she landed a highly coveted spot as a featured artist in Jonathan Adler's designs. 

Her artwork made it to the walls of the latest renovation of mega popular hotel, the Parker Palm Springs. Designed by Jonathan Adler. It's one of my favorites. 

LESSON LEARNED: If you have a talent or knack for DIY or crafts, don't underestimate your power in creativity. Be bold, offer your custom artwork to the world and stay committed. You'll never know what fabulous hotel or boutique your work might end up. 

4. Textile Designer: Elizabeth Mollen - Stone Textile : Anytime I think of cool careers, I think of Elizabeth. Another fabulous Texas gal for this list, from my very own hometown, Austin, Tx. With a degree in textile design and a background in fashion, she launched a fabric line with a beautiful line of chic, fashion forward pillows. Bringing couture fashion vibes to the home decor world was a natural move for her. After adding decorating interiors to her list of services, she also launched a collection of uber hip wallpaper. 

LESSON LEARNED: Don't be afraid to combine multiple passions to pave your own way. Elizabeth's background in fashion + textile design, combined with her passion for interior decorating helped her carve her very own chic niche. 

5. Art curator/Artist : Lisa Eryn Silverman - These Fine Walls : My minor was in art history, I've always had such a fascination with art, especially photography. When I was starting my blog, TheDecorista, I worked at a photography gallery in Beverly Hills. It was probably my favorite job aside from what I am doing now. So, this career, in my opinion is as fun as they come. 

This fabulous little NYC gal left her job in fashion at Michael Kors to launch her own online photography gallery. Her eye for placing incredibly bad a** photography on the walls of chic interiors helped make her mark.  She also has a super talent for her own work too. 

LESSON LEARNED: Creativity over competition. Instead of seeing other photographic artists in her field as her competition, Lisa decided to pave her career path by joining forces and helping to promote them. 

6. Vintage furniture collector: Tiffany & Flann - Scout Design Studio: You may remember them from the day I re-created my own version of Carrie Bradshaw's office? I mean, if you love anything to do with decorating, then you most likely love the furniture that these two have put out into the world. This Dallas based boutique is one of my favorite resources for fab vintage turned glam.

With a love for traveling around Tiffany & Flann perfected the art of finding gems and turning them into treasure, these two besties made a huge mark in the industry. They now have even created their own custom line of vintage inspired pieces. 

LESSON LEARNED:  Whatever it is that you love doing as a hobby, THAT can turn into a thriving business. Why not grab your bestie and travel the world scouring for fun finds to bring back and make your cities interiors more beautiful? The possibilities are endless! 

7. Start an interior decor blog. I obviously am a huge proponent of blogging. My interior design business was made possible because of my blog popularity. Branching into the online space can open up doors for you, that you never thought were possible before.

Another example for you is Sophie Lee, a college student who started a blog about interior decorating and made $43,225.37 in May 2020 on a blog started in 2017! Yes, over $40,000 in just one month! It can be done. Read this post on “How to start a profitable blog in 2024” .

This career path is perfect for the introvert or quiet entrepreneur.

8. Interior Decor Influencer / content creator. Listen up, in 2023, women today are able to launch huge careers as content creators in a specific niche.

@annivanderbeek is one of my favorite interior decorating content creators. She created a series on TikTok called “Unnecessary Necessities” where she shares everything she uses to decorate her home. It’s such a clever idea that you can create yourself. She’s got upwards of 450,000 followers who now buy her products, hire her e-design services and garner her brand sponsorship deals.

For someone who LOVES video & content creation, this is definitely a perfect path for you.

I hope these 8 interior design related careers have inspired you. If you are wanting to start working on your own business, you may want to first begin by creating a vision for your personal brand.

Download my FREE guide to creating a Show-stopping personal brand.

The benefits of making lists & 15 lists that will help organize your life

This blog post is going to share with you the benefits of list making and 15 lists that will help you get your life together.

As a mom, my life can sometimes feel like an open internet browser with 3941 open tabs running at all times. Having an organized calendar, consistent routines and structures can really help. However, there is one thing that has completely changed my life in terms of mental organization.

Making lists.

Back when I started learning about bullet journaling, I started getting in the habit of making lists. I would whip out my notebook and just start making running lists of things going on in my mind. This did two things for me; one, it helped my mind calm down and leave me to feel more grounded in the day to day. two, it gave me more time.

Over the years I have cultivated a list of the lists that make life feel more balanced and organized and I am going to share 15 of them with you. Before I do that, I want to tell you some of the health and wellbeing benefits that making lists can do for you.

The benefits of making lists:

• Mindfulness and Present Moment Awareness. When making lists, you engage in a form of mindfulness. You become present in the moment as you assess your tasks and intentions. This mindfulness helps prevent the mind from wandering into future worries or past regrets, promoting a sense of calm and contentment.

• Stress Reduction through Organization. Organizing your thoughts into lists creates a sense of order in your life. This organization minimizes the stress that can come from feeling overwhelmed by an ever-growing to-do list. Having a clear plan helps you prioritize tasks, making them feel more manageable and achievable.

• Reduced Mental Clutter and Anxiety. The act of making lists allows you to transfer your thoughts from your mind onto paper or a digital device. This simple action helps declutter your mind, providing a sense of relief from mental chaos. By externalizing your thoughts, you free up mental space, reducing anxiety and promoting a clearer, calmer state of mind.

• Enhanced Focus and Productivity. Lists serve as roadmaps for your day, breaking down tasks into actionable steps. This structured approach enhances your focus and productivity. As you check off items on your list, you experience a sense of accomplishment that boosts your mood and motivation to tackle the next task.

• Avenue for Creative Expression. Lists are not limited to tasks; they can also include ideas, goals, dreams, and more. This flexibility provides an avenue for creative expression and self-discovery. By listing your aspirations and interests, you engage in a positive, self-affirming activity that fosters a sense of purpose.

Okay, now that you know the benefits of making lists, I want to help set you up with the proper tools for list making.

I suggest using a spiral notebook, something small that you don’t mind carrying around with you. I personally am obsessed with the Bando spiral notebooks, they feel so good to write in and I love that they can lay flat and sit with just one page open. As I got more into making lists, I switched over to a disc bound spiral notebook.

Here’s how to set up your lists:

Grab your notebook and make a title page for each list. You can even make a directory at the front of your notebook with a numbered list and then use post it tabs to label each page with the number associated.

15 lists that will help organize your life:

1. Monthly intentions. I like to set intentions for the month ahead that help give my month clarity and focused direction. ( ex. gym 3 times per week, more meal planning, etc. ) I also list out the affirmations I’m currently working with to reprogram my subconscious mind.

2. Things to buy. I keep a running list of things I need to get.

3. Master to-do list. Anything I need to get done, goes on this list.

4. Spending list. I like to keep a list of what I spend on during the month so I can pay attention to my spending.

5. Recipe list. I like to include things I want to try or make.

6. Things to clean out / declutter. Each area of the home you need to tackle goes down on the list so you can check it off when you’re done.

7. Inventory list. Toilet paper, paper towels, supplies, etc.

8. Appointments to make list. Any and all appointments need to go on this list. Dump your brain with all the things you need to schedule in.

9. Fitness plan. Make your monthly goals around your health and wellness.

10. Emails/Cards/Notes to send. This always helps me to remember birthdays for the month or just to make sure I stay in touch with long distance friends.

11. Errands to run.

12. Bills to pay.

13. Books to read/shows to watch.

14. Restaurants to try/ places to check out. This will always help when you need to find a place to go to dinner, especially if you want to try new places.

15. Things to manifest. This might be my favorite list. Keep a running list of anything and everything that you want to manifest into your life. It really helps to write it down and act as if you just put an order into the universe.

Listen to this episode of the Blissfully Ambitious podcast where I break down each list more specifically for you. Hope you enjoy.

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