As an interior decorator and home stager, I am a solopreneur.
Client focused solopreneurs have to come to terms with one fundamental question-how will I deliver my service to the client? Will I coach, consult, train or freelance.
I have chosen to consult. Consulting is less about empowering clients to realize a solution and more about creating a solution for them. As an interior design consultant, I analyze their design problems and advise my clients on how to solve the problem-and then I implement the solution.
My listening skills are as important as my creativity. I start a project by figuring out the design problem through a situational analysis. For example: Is the client staying or selling? What are the client’s time frames? What is the client’s budget? How will the client use the space? Does the client have children? I then write a proposal to the client, which, if agreed upon, indicates the scope of the project and what implementation will be done.
Depending upon the situation, time frames will definitely vary. While some of the project will require face time with my clients, much of the project is done on my own. And since I don’t have a standardized design solution, I work with no more than 3 clients at a time . Each client gets my personal attention and a look that works to meet their needs. I create real rooms for real people, and believe me, real people are very challenging!
