I had a prospective client come in this week with a charming waterfront cottage that she and her partner had remodeled. One of the first things she said after we met was “I was so afraid of calling you as I wasn’t even sure you would even talk to me about such a small project”.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the stigma that comes with appearing in magazines. Whatever size budget people have, they always feel that it may not be big enoug for a published firm. Being published is a double-edged sword. It gives you visibility, but on the flip side it can make you seem intimidating.
I was thrilled to meet her and to share with her a vision of what this cottage could become. It got me all excited about the possibilities of working together and taking the project to a beautiful conclusion. So you see, we were both happy!
I am ready to face that challenge!! I am now just building up a body of work, since I have been working on my own, and have projects that are completed to the point that I want to start submitting them to publications. I think you defined the key challenge; having work that is refined and interesting enough to be published (so people know you are out there!!), while maintaining the professionalism and approachability so that you continue to draw clients to you. Congratulations to you for maintaining that balance!!
i think many people share her thought about you taking only large jobs… i hope this brings others to you that have small but wonderful jobs for you to get involved in…. cheers… melissa
I’m having trouble concentrating on your written entry because I am so distracted by that gorgeous mirror in the picture! That would make my dining room! How can I do a mirror like that?
Good point, and how lucky she is to have you as your designer! have fun!
Oops, typo in my note…I meant how lucky she is to have YOU as her designer! its the end of the day, and I’m tired…
I seem to have that problem without major publications. I have my own small design firm and SO many people think their projects are too small for me…but in this economy in particlular, I am happy just to have something to design other than my own house!