Thursday, November 4, 2010

How I got here...

For some reason lately I've gotten a handful of emails asking about my business, how I got here, and what advice I have to others who want to do the same thing. There isn't an easy way to write a quick response, so I thought I'd address it on my blog.

If you are not interested, I suggest you continue on your blog roll :)

And here's a little background...

Interior Design was always something I wanted to do. When I was in 6th grade, we were given an assignment to construct a magazine cover featuring what we wanted to be in life. For instance, many boys put themselves as star athletes on Sports Illustrated. I put myself on the cover of People magazine as Interior Designer of the Year. I know, it's so laughable... and why People magazine? I guess I didn't know of any trade magazines (my parents weren't and still aren't into interiors at all). I really don't know where the project is today.. but I wish I still had it.

Fast forward a decade or so and there I was in college. I actually had the desire to major in Interior Design, but truth is I was too scared. It was one of those majors that had a bad reputation when it came to job opportunities post-graduation. Sort of like an English major or a Theater major - sure you're following your dream but there isn't much hope in finding a job. Instead I majored in Advertising. It came natural to me and I had a lot of opportunities. I had internships and got a great job out of college. Do I regret this? Sometimes I do... but my firm answer is no. I think everything happened for a reason. Plus - my graphic design background has helped me with e-decorating, and my marketing background has helped me with client management.

Hmm.. my career in Advertising. I won't get into too much detail but it just wasn't a good fit. Sure, there were some good times.. but there were a lot of bad times and I wasn't happy. I always kept interior design in my life, and blogging became my outlet for it. I really owe everything to blogging. It's the best. Love you guys. So I started doing design boards for free, then for $25, then for $75, and it grew into a sort of little side business for me. And on my 25th birthday, I decided to put myself out there, and I posted an ad for my local services on Craigslist. I know - I still can't believe I did that. What balls I had! Well, someone actually answered the ad, and the stars aligned - I connected with the best clients I could ever ask for.

Once I got my local clients, I worked my ass off. I worked full time during the day doing Advertising, then pretty much full time during my free time doing interior design. Nights, weekends.. it all revolved around my side biz. At this point, my husband was living in North Carolina, and I was still in Orange County. So I just spent all my alone time focusing on building my "career". And you guys know the rest - I finished up my CA jobs, left my day job, and moved to North Carolina.

I just wanted to do a quick little background but this has turned into a novel. So I'm going to break up the next section and post it tomorrow. It will be all about what I learned along the way, and my advice for anyone who has the same dream.

I've already posted this recently, but I'll leave you (again) with this quote.. so fitting for my life this past year:

34 comments:

  1. Thank-you so much for this post!! I was meant to read that today. I too have a day job in the corporate world, but long for a creative outlet. I adore your blog and just started my own - www.lovinthat.blogspot.com

    Check it out, I'd welcome your feedback and look forward to hearing your advice tomorrow!!

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  2. Kudos to you for following your dream - its a scary thing putting yourself out there like this - but I'm super happy for you that it seems to be working out!

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  3. i enjoyed this post on your background! so inspiring to here of a start like this... love your work!

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  4. I have also been trying to launch a decorating career while working full time, so it's great to hear how you have been doing it. I really admire you for just going for it (unlike me, who keeps finding excuses such as needing an amazing portfolio or experience first). You're an inspiration!

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  5. Thanks for the post! I also enjoy learning how others got their start. It is a dream of mine to be an interior designer. You have a great talent and thank you for sharing it with us!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing. I am in the process of starting my own company as well and let's just say I have been a bit daunted. It is nice to hear how you got the ball rolling.

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  7. thanks for sharing your story. i am in a similar situation too! just started my own blog as well: www.thefourteenthchair.com. looking forward to the second part! xo

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  8. Loved reading this! I was a teacher in my past life and loved it but always felt I was meant to do something else- already this whole blog thing has made my dreams feel like they might just possibly be a reality(sounds so cheesy but it's true:) I love hearing about how other people chose this path and how designing/decorating as a career actually came to be a reality- Thanks so much for sharing- I'll look forward to part deux!

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  9. I'm really glad you decided to follow your passion! And you certainly do have heaps of talent!

    I was wondering, do you consider yourself an interior designer or an interior decorator? I see you've used both terms on your site and they are quite different.

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  10. Thank you so much for this post!

    I have been very seriously contemplating starting my own company - I have zero background in interior design but I absolutely love it. I never even thought of putting up an ad on craigslist! I cannot wait to hear what your advice entails tomorrow and any other tips you have!

    This really motivates me - and I love that quote!

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  11. So interesting! I just read a very interesting quote on the sidebar of a beautiful blog called Domestic Reflections:

    "the master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. he hardly knows which is which. he simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. to him he’s always doing both."
    –-james michener

    Sounds like finding one's calling for sure.

    jbhat

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  12. Thanks for this post. I spent 6 1/2 yrs as a history teacher who was more obsessed with old furniture, pic of homes, clothing, being creative than teaching it. The funny part is I was teacher of the year and an educational consultant for some time so obviously I was pretty good at the job but I just never loved it. I was very much like you in that when I was in hs I wanted to be a fashion designer or costume designer ...my friends even called me "Calvin Klein2" (CK-my initials) but was too afraid and it was not practical when it came to financial needs. Fast Forward to today, after having my daugher last year I realized...what kind of message am I sending to her. Needless to say, I'm now taking my second course in an interior design program and now I know what it means to "love what you do".
    Thanks for being so open and real. Sorry If I wrote a novel here. it's just nice to hear how others find their path in life.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for sharing this with us! It's so reassuring to hear someones story who made careeer changes and moves, and is really doing what they love. I am definetly at a point in my life where I am questioning where I see myself career-wise. Thanks for giving me the hope to keep searching!

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  14. That's so interesting how it all came to be. I feel like I'm stuck right now. Afraid to let go of the well paying job to take a chance on a dream for less money. I'll figure it out eventually. I guess when my stars aline.

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  15. I love your story Bryn! When you've got it--you've got it!

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  16. Thank you for sharing. I love that quote!!!

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  17. That was such a nice post.

    Truly inspiring:)

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  18. My story is very similar to yours. A PR girl dreaming about design :) I agree, you just have to put yourself out there and see what happens. And, my business wouldn't have been nearly as successful without my blog. It's amazing what blogging can do, isn't it?

    Lots of continued success!

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  19. I used to work in advertising as well. It feels like a natural fit for woman who have business oriented minds, but are creative too. except the creativity wasn't there for me. i left in march and am now in school to become an interior designer! its so nice hearing your success story! thanks for sharing

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  20. Bryn, I have a very similar background to yours and just recently started my design business while still carrying on a second career (lucky I get to work from home on both). I can't wait for your advice in the next section of this post. Thank you so much for sharing! P.S. I could use some advice on how to spread my blog if you so desire to include that :).

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  21. I'm so glad you are sharing this info! I am dreaming of the day I can start my own business (instead of working for another designer) and it's scary. I've tried reaching out to other bloggers for advice with no success, so I'm interested to see what you have to say!

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  22. Bryn-
    I have been following your blog for some time... haven't commented much... but I felt compelled to write when you posted this! I am doing a similar thing, except with photography. I still have my day job and work around the clock on my business. So exhausting, but so worth it!! I think creative careers are so much more meaningful for certain personalities... definitely mine and I am sure yours. I am so happy you are making it in the design world! You are ultra talented and I look forward to continue to read your blog :)

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  23. LOVE this post!! I am just, just starting out with my own business and have been wondering how others do it. Thank you so much for sharing Bryn, you have been such an inspiration to me since I came across your blog a few weeks ago. Just wanted to let you know that. And I can't wait for your next post on this topic!

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  24. Thanks so much for this post! I love hearing inspirational stories about people following their dreams. I am trying to find my calling right now too...and it might just be an interior designer! Thanks again!

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  25. I cant wait to read part B. And I loved your pictures from the gathering last night! So exciting. How can I find out about more design events happening in Charlotte ?

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  26. Thank you so much for posting your background! I had seen your Design Your Life feature on Make Under My Life, and was considering e-mailing you about your background. I guess a lot of people had the same idea!

    I, too, have loved Interior Design from middle school on. My mom is very much interested in it, although her style is completely different from mine. The one thing that intrigued me about you is that you didn't go to school specifically for Interior Design.

    At one time, I had entertained the idea of going back to school for it, but my husband had just started his own business, so there are no extra funds for me to go to school for it. Thanks for being brave and putting yourself out there! I love your work and your blog, and now, knowing more about how you got to where you are, you have really inspired me. Now I know that if I just put myself out there, I could just make it someday!

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  27. Our stories are eerily similar, and your is a very uplifting one. I will not forget your story or your tips, and although you haven't 'hit the big time' so to speak, you are an inspiration, Bryn. Thank you for sharing! :)

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  28. Our stories are eerily similar, and your is a very uplifting one. I will not forget your story or your tips, and although you haven't 'hit the big time' so to speak, you are an inspiration, Bryn. Thank you for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I cant wait to read part B. And I loved your pictures from the gathering last night! So exciting. How can I find out about more design events happening in Charlotte ?

    ReplyDelete
  30. LOVE this post!! I am just, just starting out with my own business and have been wondering how others do it. Thank you so much for sharing Bryn, you have been such an inspiration to me since I came across your blog a few weeks ago. Just wanted to let you know that. And I can't wait for your next post on this topic!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Bryn, I have a very similar background to yours and just recently started my design business while still carrying on a second career (lucky I get to work from home on both). I can't wait for your advice in the next section of this post. Thank you so much for sharing! P.S. I could use some advice on how to spread my blog if you so desire to include that :).

    ReplyDelete
  32. That was such a nice post.

    Truly inspiring:)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks for this post. I spent 6 1/2 yrs as a history teacher who was more obsessed with old furniture, pic of homes, clothing, being creative than teaching it. The funny part is I was teacher of the year and an educational consultant for some time so obviously I was pretty good at the job but I just never loved it. I was very much like you in that when I was in hs I wanted to be a fashion designer or costume designer ...my friends even called me "Calvin Klein2" (CK-my initials) but was too afraid and it was not practical when it came to financial needs. Fast Forward to today, after having my daugher last year I realized...what kind of message am I sending to her. Needless to say, I'm now taking my second course in an interior design program and now I know what it means to "love what you do".
    Thanks for being so open and real. Sorry If I wrote a novel here. it's just nice to hear how others find their path in life.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for sharing this with us! It's so reassuring to hear someones story who made careeer changes and moves, and is really doing what they love. I am definetly at a point in my life where I am questioning where I see myself career-wise. Thanks for giving me the hope to keep searching!

    ReplyDelete

THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate each and every comment.

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