When Renée Biery entered the interior design industry, she thought everyone did renovations. It wasn’t until she moved back home to Delaware that she realized she—especially as a woman—was the anomaly. She had to work hard to show how much value she could add to a renovation project for both the client and the contractors. She believes that Interior designers CAN and should do more. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how you can learn to master those tricky renovation projects (and the clients that come with them).
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut SocialAs the owner of deVignier design, Renée has almost 30 years of experience in the industry. She’s formally trained in practical interior architecture with advanced technical and rendering proficiency. She sought to be a one-stop-shop that offers everything from project management and design to decorating. She loves being part of the design and build. It also sets her apart from other women in the industry.
Despite her formal education, Renée believes that it isn’t necessary nor should it be a barrier to entry. She learned more from the women she’s worked with over the years. You simply learn as you go. You can find contractors, architects, etc. who will work with you to get a permit or draw a design.
Renée believes that offering renovation projects will sustain the industry. Why? Because procurement is becoming a problem. Many firms are giving up that revenue stream. But what does that leave them? There are only so many billable hours in design. If you’re trying to salvage your billable hours, managing renovation projects is a great way to get started.
Why don’t more designers take on renovations?Renée believes that many designers lack confidence in their skills. Plus, it can be intimidating. Everyone watches HGTV and every episode of any show features some great challenge to overcome. Those challenges get expensive. That’s why Renée encourages people to gain experience in numerous ways. She started “The Only Girl on the Jobsite” because as the only woman among 20 guys on a worksite, you feel like the odd man out. So you have to build skills to level the playing field.
Where do you get your feet wet? Do you intern under someone with the experience necessary? Some people have renovated their own spaces and feel comfortable learning as they go. Plus, if you have some experience, you can build on it. Price yourself at an obtainable level until you’ve built a portfolio. There will be clients that are excited about getting a great price and don’t mind that you’re learning. But above all, do not fake it til you make it or you’ll end up making expensive mistakes.
Taking on renovation projects sets you apart and gives you a leg up. What else can you do to break the mold? If you decide to add renovations and project management to your portfolio, how do you market yourself? Renée shares a plethora of advice in episode #251—don’t miss it!
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Digital vs. Physical Product Libraries: Rex Rogosch Weighs In - Episode 243
REPLAY: Up-Level Your Social Media Marketing with Pinterest [Kate Ahl] - Episode 242
Kate Doster’s Attention-Grabbing Email Marketing Strategies - Episode 241
Business Coach Desi Creswell Shares How to Build Trust in Yourself - Episode 240
How Brett + Giselle Sugerman Found Phenomenal Success on Instagram - Episode 239
Pivot Your Business with a Strategic Business Coach [Like Michele Williams] - Episode 238
Kathleen Jennison’s 7-Step Cheat Sheet for New Interior Designers - Episode 237
How to Balance your Marriage + Business + Self [with LMFT Amber Hawley] - Episode 236
Break Boundaries as a Female Founder with Casey Gromer - Episode 235
Convert Calls to Clients with Nikki Rausch [Throwback] - Episode 234
Wingnut REPLAY: Reach Your Soul Goals with Anna Tsui - Episode 233
Achieve Massive Business Growth with Monique Allen's Methods - Episode 232
Infuse More Joy in Your Life with Tanya Dalton - Episode 231
Learn to Rewire Your Brain Patterns with Adele Spraggon - Episode 230
Niche Until it Hurts: Erica Reiner’s Love for Eco-Friendly Design - Episode 229
Why You Should Use Case Studies to Boost Your Business - Episode 228
Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs to Charge What You’re Worth [Sarah Schneider] - Episode 227
How Using a UTM Will Transform your Marketing Metrics with Chris Mercer - Episode 226
An Unexpected Way Designers can Leverage Pinterest per Chandler Oldham - Episode 225
Interior Designers: You NEED to Network with Realtors [per Eric Reeves] - Episode 224
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