I can be my own boss! I can make my own hours! I can do what I want! These are probably the thoughts that are at the forefront of any fledgling business owner's mind.
But before you go down that path, here is what you really need to know about starting an interior design business.
Read MoreYou have two options when you have that fresh interior design degree in hand, either you work for someone else or you start your own business. (Or a third option: you could also think what the hell am I going to do with an interior design degree? and go into banking.)
In my experience, it is always better to gain real-world experience from someone who is established and “pay your dues”. Working for someone else allows you time to grow less green. You'll see the current state of the business of design and learn how your employer runs his or her business. Ultimately, it is a good way to decide if you can or want to go out on your own.
Read MoreYou're adrift in the sea and you find a floating log to hold on to.
This is what creating core values can do for your business. If you're adrift you can grab hold of your values and hold on. Values keep you on course, but if you've strayed or have suddenly looked up and realized you don't know where you are and have no idea how you got there, values can get you back on course.
So the reason to define your core values is to keep or get you back on course.
Read MoreI think most small business owners skip creating mission and vision statements because they are just too damn busy doing the day-to-day work of running a small business. Who has time to create a mission statement? My mission is just to service my clients and make a living. While that mindset may sustain you for the first couple of years, down the road, it is advantageous to get out of the day-to-day work IN your business and start working ON your business.
So here is my special plan for creating your own mission and vision statements for your interior design business.
Read MoreThere is a lesson in my course, The Golden Blueprint, that I call Guiding Light. This lesson is done the very first week of the course because it is meant to be just that, a guiding light.
I read today that people spend more time planning a vacation than they do their lives. So while most people will write down lists of places to visit and restaurants to try and then plan how to make them happen and how to get there, very few people actually do that with their lives.
Read MoreI'm continuing the series on Strategic Planning with creating a business plan. Now, wait, before I lose you, this isn't going to be a super complicated multi-page plan that no one will ever see.
The new business plans are focused and can help you get clear in just a page to what your plan is.
I'll be going deeper into these topics over the next few months. But get your juices flowing and get something on your paper will help you and your business.
Read MoreHow transparent are you in business? Stop and think about that for a minute.
Here is another question: Have you had any client issues that could have been avoided by greater transparency?
Transparency is behaving with openness, free communication, and accountability. Transparency is information clarity and strongly related to integrity.
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