So do I lose some blogging cred for not doing a “Best Of” post? I usually would do an end-of-year wrap up post but I just never got around to it this time. That’s not to say 2016 was a boring year! This past year brought about a lot of changes business-wise which had effects on the blog and my personal life. For one I am finally comfortable saying I have a job. That sounds silly, but for so long if someone would ask me what I do I would just say, “I am a stay at home mom” or maybe “I stay at home and decorate here and there on the side.” I don’t know why, but I almost felt bad to call my “side thing” a job. After this year and the growth of designPOST interiors I am finally comfortable calling it what it is though.
{Photo by Paige Winn}
Growing something from nothing takes a lot of dedication and learning as you go. And, I know for me, the key ingredient to my success has been a network of support. Whether it is a fellow decorator who has answered my questions (thank you ladies!) or the seamstress who rushed an order of roman shades or the brand rep who didn’t get annoyed when I asked AGAIN when those lamps will be restocked or the uphoslterer who worked in my order or the electrician who came last minute to install a sconce…people are what have made my business possible!
{Photo by Paige Winn}
And, speaking of people, I have had some pretty amazing clients! It’s not a little thing to invite someone into your home to pick apart your things and suggest plans that cost money and I get that. I do not take it lightly when people trust me and my ideas and when they do it is really a magical thing! I wanted to create personalized New Year’s cards to send out to all of the people, new and old, who continue to make my dream possible. Something warm to remind them all that we are excited and thankful to work with them!
Mixbook is a photo sharing site that has a range of custom print options, including calendars, home decor, and cards. After a quick scroll through their site I chose this cool gold geometric design. It is simple, clean, and coordinates with my business logo. It couldn’t have been more simple to upload and personalize my card! I have created cards before on other sites and found myself doing a lot of editing…different font, larger size, adding a text box, etc., but this design was already beautifully designed.
I love that the back side offered another place to market my business with snippets of past projects and even an intro to Susannah (our newest addition to designPOST interiors!) Again, uploading and placing the photos was a snap and made it easy for even the least tech-savvy person (cough, cough).
Our plan is to send these out to former clients, as well as, new and potential clients, builders, realtors, and other referral sources in the hopes that 2017 will bring even more growth. I think it is so important to not only attract new clients, but attract the right clients. One of the most direct ways to show people what your style is all about is through photos. I am hoping that there will be lots of people who open these cards and connect with the images they see! I also hope that my trusty vendors open them and feel pride at seeing some of their beautiful work included in my projects!
I have to say my absolute favorite part of Mixbook’s offerings is the option to have envelopes pre-printed! As I am navigating the challenges of a job and motherhood I am having to learn to delegate, something that can be so hard to do, but is crucial to keeping your sanity! In this case I was happy to leave the tedious job of addressing each envelope to Mixbook! The process was really easy too- I just uploaded a spreadsheet with all of my addresses and boom, they were added to my address book. For any that I didn’t already have in my file, I simply added one by one. I ordered an additional number of blank envelopes so I have extras on hand this year.
{photo by Laura Sumrak}
I am trying to go into 2017 with a sense of calm that things will fall into place, I just have to keep realistic expectations of myself! I also have to continue to rely on other people to help bring it all together! So, thank you photographers, vendors, handymen, painters, seamstresses, friends, family, and so many others for working behind the scenes to help me create beautiful rooms! And thank you Mixbook for providing these beautiful cards and taking the task of addressing off my plate!
*All products were provided by Mixbook but all ideas are my own. Thank offer supporting the brands that support designPOST interiors!
WhItney small says
Hi, Beth! Congrats on your success last year and wishing you lots of happiness in the coming year. I just wanted to leave a note to say how inspirational your story is. I am in the process of preparing to launch my own restyling and home staging business. I’m in Davidson( just a few miles north of you.) I am also a stay at home mom (with three boys.) It has been very scary thinking about doing this but exciting at the same time. I completely relate to many of the things you said. Last year I was presented with an opportunity and decided to roll with it and things have grown since then. You are right about all of the wonderful people who help make the whole thing work! I have great people in my corner, but I do not know many designers or decorators or other mom, creative business owners in the area. I think it would be so amazing to sit down and talk with another person who’s done this thing already. I feel like I’m completely flying by the seat of my pants. Ha!
Anyway, I have enjoyed following your work. You have great style and I think it’s awesome that you’ve been so successful! Have a fabulous 2017! -Whitney