Value of a Mentor
If you have been reading here for a while then you are probably aware of my story and how I got started in this biz. If not, you can go back and read a little bit HERE. Anyways, I wanted to touch on something I think is crazy important and has been SO influential to me working in the interior design business… experience and having a mentor IS EVERYTHING!!!!
Prior to forging ahead on my own I worked for the incredibly talented Kirsten Marie Interiors. She is the type of real deal designer who kicks ass daily and is well respected for it. She works with incredibly skilled contractors and architects, but her vision and her dedication to see the vision through is what I respect her most for. Her “take no shit” and stand your ground attitude that has helped me get through the tricky times I am often faced with when dealing with Contractors who are mostly men and who for the most part do not take kindly to being told by a 32 year old “Blondie” what to do. Whenever I hit a speed bump or need a little advice, I turn to her and its her candor that I appreciate more than ever. For example, I am currently on a big remodel, and lets just say the Contractor and I have bumped heads on the design of the space. She reminds me to stand firm and do not compromise myself or my vision. This may be an obvious answer, but coming from her it feels a little more like an “expert opinion” rather than the Web MD version of an expert opinion.
If you plan on getting into the field of Interior Design, I would say that gaining experience from someone who has been working in the biz much longer than you, is invaluable. Like truly, truly, way more important than a fancy degree in my book. Lets take a look at some of Kirsten’s (or as I like to call her Kiki’s) work!!!
Pretty great right?
Well, I think so too. The moral of this story and this post is to get involved with a company in which you will learn something from. Working in a smaller but busier firm is pretty amazing and I feel super lucky to have had that experience and to now pass on that bit of knowledge to my girls.
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