Fall 1999 – Monday morning rush hour and I’m on the highway to hell.
I’m returning to work after a short leave. I talked to the HR Department just last week to confirm today was the date I return to work.
It’s a typical Monday except my hands are sweaty on the steering wheel, and I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of returning to my cubicle.
Technically, I’m in a creative field, but most of the time, it doesn’t really feel creative. I’m one of three hundred designers working for the largest architectural firm in the state. The last project I worked on for them was detailing brass handrails for a shopping mall. Do you know how many linear feet of handrails exist in a two story mall? I didn’t know either, but I can tell you this – the number is truly mind numbing.
I’m nearly crying hysterically as I drive around and around in the parking deck searching for a space.
Finally, I pull myself together and make my way to the twenty-seventh floor of tower one.
As the woman in the HR Department gathers a folder with various papers for me to sign and direct deposit slips, I hear myself whisper, “I quit.”
The woman looks up and says, “Excuse me, Honey?” I take a breath, clear my throat and confidently announce, “I quit”.
Confused, the woman shuffles the papers, double checks my name, and asks, “Weren’t you suppose to be starting back to work today?” “Yeah, I changed my mind,” I hear my mouth saying as I shift my weight from foot to foot.
“In that case, we need to do an exit interview,” the woman says as she turns to get a different set of paperwork.
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This scenario took place about six months prior to me hanging my shingle and starting my residential design business. I was afraid. I knew I couldn’t stay where I was – it was killing me – but I didn’t know what life would be like afterward, and that uncertainty terrified me, too.
I wish I could go back in time and tell the old me how it all turns out, but I can’t, so I’ll share these things with you instead.
The important pieces of advice I would tell the old me:
- Do not make rash decisions (or send emails or, ahem, quit your job) when you’re highly emotional. Mull it over for a day or two or seven. Then put a plan in place, save some money for basics like web hosting, email providers, and food. I wasted time for months trying to figure out what I was going to do with myself. A plan will evolve and change but it can also give you the clarity you need to move forward.
- Keep a running list of all of your victories, big and small. When you’re on the never-ending treadmill of entrepreneurship and you believe you’re not making any headway, you’ll have a list of accomplishments to remember. If you got showered and dressed four days in a row, finally got 50 people to like your Facebook Page, and published that first blog post, you DO deserve a gold star. It’s all about perspective.
- For the love of all that is holy do not set your fees at rock bottom. You know what’s at the bottom? Bottom Feeders. I mean, don’t set your rates at $1000 an hour like Nate Berkus (I have no idea what his rates are-just sayin’) but do remember that you’ve got to eat and it’s OK to make money from your talents. You ARE worth it.
- You know more than you think you do. You may have just started your business or maybe you’ve just graduated, but your years of formal and informal training have been preparing you to be a designer all your life. Don’t discount that.
- Find a mentor or group of designers for emotional and industry support as soon as possible. A mentor can help with the business side of running a design business like setting up systems, contracts, and trade sources, and the emotional support will be priceless. Trust me on this.
- Source to-the-trade items immediately. Do not get caught in sourcing from retailers that offer designers minuscule discounts. The pocket change is not worth your time and you’ll wind up known as that designer who picks stuff from Pottery Barn. That’s not a good niche.
- Don’t worry about what the “competition” is doing. We all have ups and downs in this business and its easy to get distracted by someone else’s highlight reel. There is enough work for everyone. Don’t fall into a lack mindset. Remember, collaboration over competition. Work hard, share ideas and resources, be nice to others and keep your eyes on your own path.
If you’re just starting out, I’ve been just where you are. In fact, when I first started my interior design business, I thought I would never get any clients. It was frustrating and scary and I thought i was destined to eat beans and rice indefinitely.
But you know what? I did eventually land a client that wasn’t a family member or friend of a friend.
Now, I have dozens of satisfied clients – I make people happy by doing what I love every day. You can make it, too.
You may second guess yourself, and believe you’re not creative but hang in there. It is so worth it to make a living doing what comes easy to you and what you’re passionate about.
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