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March 8, 2010

Six great design business tips I learned from Kimberley Seldon

KS This past weekend, I was at Kimberley Seldon’s Business of Design seminars. I had originally just signed up for Part 1, but after Friday’s seminar, I decided I really needed to take Part 2 and Part 3 too.

It was information overload, but in a good way. Kimberley taught us so much about running a successful design business — things that only someone who’s been there, done that can really teach.

Kimberley took a group of individuals with questions and insecurities, and turned us into a network of confident designers and decorators. Because if there’s one thing we all learned (well, actually, there are hundreds of things we learned!!), it’s that we each have lots to offer each other, and that we’ll all be more successful in our businesses if we work together.

These are just six of the great design business tips I learned from Kimberley Seldon…

1. Work to live, don’t live to work. The work day starts at 9:00AM and ends at 5:00PM. And no working on weekends or while on vacation!!

on-vacation riccioli

2. Be confident. Don’t downplay yourself or your abilities — you can do it!!

confident cat

3. Charge what you’re worth. How much do you pay your hairdresser to blow dry your hair?? And how much do you charge to design someone’s house, with all the liabilities and responsibilities that come along with it?canadian-money

4. Spread the word. People can’t find you if they don’t know you’re there. Think outside the box and come up with ways to let people know who you are, what you do, and where to find you.

ty livejournal

5. Create a network of peers. Start a blog (if you don’t have one already), get a Facebook page, sign up for Twitter. Get together with other designers in your area once a month and pick a topic to discuss.

ks facebook ks twitter ks social-networking discovery

And the most important thing I learned from Kimberley…

6. SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE. If Kimberley is willing to share what she knows and has learned during her years in the business with other designers, surely you can too.

I highly recommend attending all three of Kimberley’s Business of Design seminars if you have the chance. It’s an investment in you and your business that you won’t regret.

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17 comments:

C.J. said...

thanks so much for the tips! I am a new business so am constantly looking for ideas and advice. You girls are too cool.

CarolAnne - camdesign said...

Love Kimberley, Loved that seminar....we had ours here in Calgary last year or so.
Only one comment, we tried to get together afew designers from town to get together... oh my, within a month the knives were out and my friend and I got out...tread carefully...

Beach House 27 said...

Good advice - thanks for the encouragement!

Marsha

Kelly said...

I recently came across Kimberley and her seminars so really appreciate you sharing these tips. I'm always looking for resources to share with designers so I'll definitely add Kimberley to my list. Keep us posted on part 2 & 3!

Verdigris Vie said...

I think that it is so fantastic that this industry is so supportive. Sharing tips and ideas, pulling together when times are tough, and always recognizing a job well done..

These are great tips Kelly.. thanks for the encouragement..

vitania

qerat said...

Wonderful designer. The seminars must have been fun and informative. I also like her blog

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Sounds like it was a great one! Collaboration...the key to everything!

Michelle said...

Loved her seminar...left feeling ready to go.

Kat said...

Sounds like a great seminar. DH and I are getting ready to start our own business, and these are some great tips regardless of the industry. I think the one I'll have to remind him of the most is the first one :) Kathy

Janis@HomeStyle said...

So happy you got to do all 3 classes...and thanks for the great tips.

Hopefully I'll get to do it the next time she's in town.

Lauren said...

great tips and sounds like an amazing seminar!!

xoxo

Laura Trevey said...

Awesome tips to live by!

Unknown said...

Kelly - these rules are absolutely valid not only for interior design but for any creative profession - especially for artists as well. I wished I could attend such kind of seminars - in Germany you can hardly find such a thing and if you can it costs a fortune....(sigh)

Christy said...

Fantastic advice. Now if only I could convince my husband to only work 9-5! :) Hope you girls have a fabulous weekend!

Rashon Carraway said...

These are really great tips. Many of these tips cost little to no money.

i.e. creating a blog, facebook, myspace page.

Even getting together with other individuals in your area to source and discuss ideas should never be underestimated.


Mr. Goodwill Hunting
http:/g-w-hunting.blogspot.com

Diane Schuller said...

every one of these applies directly to my career as a photographer. The one I battle the most is people wanting my work for next to nothing. Everyone with a digital camera these days thinks they're a photographer and the average person doesn't value the true art of photography and the quality that comes with a professional. Great information from Kimberly -- I'm so glad to have read it!

Diane Schuller said...

every one of these applies directly to my career as a photographer. The one I battle the most is people wanting my work for next to nothing. Everyone with a digital camera these days thinks they're a photographer and the average person doesn't value the true art of photography and the quality that comes with a professional. Great information from Kimberly -- I'm so glad to have read it!

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