{"id":13174,"date":"2018-08-28T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T07:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.qcdesignschool.com\/?p=13174"},"modified":"2018-08-28T07:00:38","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T07:00:38","slug":"5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential Tips to Build a Successful Design Business"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]<em>Tammy Hart, I.D.D.P, CAPS is a graduate and Tutor of Q.C. Design School and is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist from the National Association of Home Builders.\u00a0 She is the Senior Designer for the Designer Chick Co. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.dznrchik.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.dznrchik.com<\/a>) and is the Past Director on the National Board for DDA (formerly CDECA).\u00a0\u00a0 She is a professional speaker, speaking at venues like IIDEXCanada and Heart of Networking.\u00a0 She\u2019s been featured as a guest spot on Daytime Durham, Rogers TV and works to empower young women to become successful future leaders and supports ocean clean-up efforts.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]As a residential designer, QC Design School tutor, and an entrepreneur, I find I\u2019m often asked what my hints and tips for success are.\n\nSuccess didn\u2019t come overnight for me.\u00a0 SURPRISE!\u00a0 I\u2019ve compiled what I think is the best advice I could possibly give you to help you be successful in this exciting industry, no matter which path you take.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;13183&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\/#1_Build_a_Tribe\" >1) Build a Tribe<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\/#2_Never_Stop_Learning\" >2) Never Stop Learning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\/#3_KISS\" >3) K.I.S.S<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\/#4_Devils_in_the_Details\" >4) Devil\u2019s in the Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\/#5_Eat_Live_and_Breathe_Design\" >5) Eat, Live and Breathe Design<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Build_a_Tribe\"><\/span>1) Build a Tribe<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nAs an entrepreneur, especially when you are starting out, you could have a lot of solo time.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to have a tribe of people who:\n<ol>\n \t<li>Support you and your business<\/li>\n \t<li>You can bounce ideas off of<\/li>\n \t<li>Can help you build your network<\/li>\n \t<li>Who will kick you in the butt when you need it<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nMy tribe consists of family and friends, networking partners, other designers and decorators, and my coaches.\u00a0 Each plays a very important role in my success.\n\nMy family and friends are my emotional support system.\n\nMy networking partners are relationships that I have built over years whom we can bounce business ideas off of, learn from each other and help each other grow our networks.\n\nI count on other designers and decorators to support my business.\u00a0 Sounds crazy right?\u00a0 It\u2019s not.\u00a0 When my firm can\u2019t take a client on, I want to be able to refer those clients confidently to another.\u00a0 And sometimes, it\u2019s nice to have a partnership to bounce ideas and build successful industry projects with.\u00a0 It\u2019s always nice to go to industry events with industry peeps.\u00a0 Make friends, don\u2019t make competition.\n\nI couldn\u2019t make my business successful without my coaches.\u00a0 My coaches have guided me through huge transitions.\u00a0 My coaches keep me accountable because my creative brain has the power to make my business side procrastinate.\u00a0 They give me guidance, insight, and help me push my business to new innovative limits.\u00a0 They help me see my business through a different looking glass.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;13184&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Never_Stop_Learning\"><\/span>2) Never Stop Learning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nIf you want to be successful, and you want to keep clients happy, never stop learning.\u00a0 Learning will benefit your clients by helping you keep up with trends, by learning industry technology and advancements, and by teaching you new areas which can help you create new niches for your market.\n\nWhen I set my business goals for the year, I also set goals for education.\u00a0 I\u2019m a bit of a nerd.\u00a0 I love school.\u00a0 So for me, I love going on courses, especially conferences.\u00a0 But there are many online courses that can help you push your industry knowledge further that are sometimes offered at no cost through many suppliers and industry leaders.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;13185&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_KISS\"><\/span>3) K.I.S.S<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nThe best piece of advice I can give you when it comes to a design concept is to Keep It Simple Sweets.\u00a0 Less is more when it comes to design.\u00a0 Especially in this day in age when we are focusing on sustainable design, look for ways to reuse instead of buying new.\u00a0 The trick is knowing when to stop.\u00a0 Follow the rule of odds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Devils_in_the_Details\"><\/span>4) Devil\u2019s in the Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nOur job is to be extremely detail oriented.\u00a0 From our concepts to our presentations to fruition to our invoicing and our summaries \u2013 devil\u2019s in the details.\u00a0 Everything we do reflects our ability to deliver on our promise to create an unforgettable experience for our clients that will, in turn, help them create a life they want. No pressure!\n\nSo cross your T\u2019s and dot your I\u2019s; use capitals and proper grammar; draw to scale with crisp straight lines and visualize your thoughts for your clients.\u00a0 Go above and beyond for them and ensure you tell them that you value their business because, they could choose to use anyone in our industry \u2013 but they chose you.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;13186&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Eat_Live_and_Breathe_Design\"><\/span>5) Eat, Live and Breathe Design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nAs I mentioned earlier, my success didn\u2019t come overnight.\u00a0 At the risk of being vulnerable and very authentic, when I first started my business, there was a lot of self-doubt.\u00a0 \u201cCould I do this? What am I doing?\u00a0 Am I nuts? Who\u2019s going to buy from me? Can I make this work?\u201d\u00a0 It\u2019s completely normal to be scared.\u00a0 But what I learned is anything that\u2019s worth doing will be a little scary and will push you out of your comfort zone.\n\nBelieve in yourself and your product.\u00a0 Exude your passion and people will get hooked on you, and then your business.\n\nMost of all, eat, live and breathe design.\u00a0 I compare my business to raising my children.\u00a0 Your business idea is born.\u00a0\u00a0 You need to nurture it.\u00a0 Praise it.\u00a0 Raise it. Like raising children, it\u2019s a 24 hour, 7 days\/week job.\u00a0 But one day, your children are grown and successful just like your business will be.\u00a0 And you will be incredibly proud of yourself and all of your partners and tribes that made it happen.[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=&#8221;No Line&#8221; custom_height=&#8221;50&#8243;][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;13187&#8243; alignment=&#8221;&#8221; animation=&#8221;Fade In&#8221; box_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; max_width=&#8221;100%&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]Just like I\u2019ve found what has worked for my business and my design concepts, you will too. And when you do, share that information with others.\u00a0 By sharing your knowledge with others, you\u2019ll be helping build a strong industry of supportive individuals with a like-minded end goal \u2013 to create an experience that will impact the lives of others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;full_width_content&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; top_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; bottom_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243;][vc_column enable_animation=&#8221;true&#8221; animation=&#8221;fade-in&#8221; column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; delay=&#8221;250&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Inspired to start your own design business? Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/business-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">business training<\/a> included in QC\u2019s courses!<\/em><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Success doesn\u2019t come overnight. Read this advice on how to be successful in this exciting industry, no matter which path you take.","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":14684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,4],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[523],"class_list":{"0":"post-13174","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-from-the-experts","8":"category-your-design-career"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Essential Tips to Build a Successful Design Business - The Focal Point<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Success doesn\u2019t come overnight when it comes to starting a design business. I\u2019ve compiled what I think is the best advice I could possibly give you to help you be successful in this exciting industry, no matter which path you take.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/5-essential-tips-to-build-a-successful-design-business\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Essential Tips to Build a Successful Design Business\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Success doesn\u2019t come overnight when it comes to starting a design business. 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