The majority of design firms are having to switch gears during the coronavirus pandemic to keep their businesses running. It’s difficult to ‘social distance’ and complete design consultations but manageable with our current technology. But for remodeling, staging, and design implementation in general—it may be an impossible task.
Taylor Spellman—designer to the stars—joins Darla and Natalie to share how she’s navigating business during the Coronavirus Crisis. Taylor founded her interior design and staging firm at the age of 23 and has since built a name for herself. She offers a concierge level of service from conception to completion—with a bold and eclectic style that incorporates each person’s unique vision for their space.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut SocialNew York City is currently fighting on the ‘frontline’ of the Coronavirus battle, with the number of those infected climbing exponentially every day. When reports of the virus began to spread around NYC, Taylor made a proactive decision to leave NYC and hunker down in Connecticut. Doing so included laying off some of her staff.
Taylor points out there’s a lot of “shame in the game” right now and that designers are feeling guilty about the decisions being made. She believes this is a time where we have to simply do the best we can. If you have to apply for a government loan or grant—it’s what you have to do. Laying off employees that wouldn’t be working opened them up for more assistance than she could give.
This isn’t failing. The nation is at a different level of unprecedented calamity—no one knows how the virus will play out. Taylor knew—being there are so many unknown variables—that this was the only way to sustain her business in the long run. She launched her business right before the housing market crash, so she’s learned to take the highs and lows in stride and pivot when necessary.
The importance of communication in times like thisTaylor has a reputation for going above and beyond for her clients and has built her business on hard work and dedication to any project—large or small. She admits that normally you have to handle clients with kid gloves, but that she’s been very frank through this ordeal. She’s reminding clients that not getting a throw pillow on time isn’t the end of the world.
Instead, she points out that their health and their family is their TOP priority right now. It’s a time where everyone needs to be real, take things seriously, and prioritize what’s important. When clients get upset about something trivial, they must be reminded of that fact. When things return to some semblance of normalcy, she can step back in and wrap up their projects and leave everyone happy.
The ladies cover SO much in this episode—what Taylor’s strategy is when she can emerge into the market again, how she lands celebrity clients, and the mantra she built her business on. Don’t miss this engaging and insightful episode!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes by
PODCAST FAST TRACK
https://www.podcastfasttrack.com
How to Design Vacation Homes and the Joy in Niching Down Your Business
REPLAY: How to Make Luxury Design Accessible
Increase Your Visibility With a PR Agency
How to Maintain Your Own Company as a Sole Entrepreneur
What is Boutique Hospitality Design?
What They Don’t Teach You in Interior Design School
Tips to Master Your Finances and Plan the Future of Your Business
REPLAY: How to Get Your Design Work Published in a Magazine
REPLAY: How to Achieve Financial Success With Your Design Business
Use Authenticity to Attract Your Ideal Client
How to Make Luxury Design Accessible
How to Get Your Design Work Published in a Magazine
From Passion Projects to a Million Dollar Design Business in 3 Years
Growing Your Business by Choosing Purpose Over Profit
How to Achieve Financial Success With Your Design Business
How to Generate More Leads with Automated Messages on Instagram
Why You Should Use a Recruiting Agency to Expand Your Team
REPLAY: How to Bust Out of the Basic Designer Box
REPLAY: Tips for Taking the Leap to Start Your Own Design Business
REPLAY: Maximize Your Time With Repeatable Systems and Processes
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Dear Alice | Interior Design
99% Invisible
The John Clay Wolfe Show
Great Expectations
Gulliver’s Travels
Creative Pep Talk
How to Decorate