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TipTips
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TW: So tell me about your business. How did you get started and what services does your firm offer specifically?
GS: I got started as an Interior Designer by one day waking up and deciding my career as a Speech Pathologist / Audiologist was not satisfying my creative talents and I needed to move on. This is something you can do with great ease when youth is on your side...nothing seems insurmountable. I must add I had the good fortune that my mother had a very successful interior design business, Joan Shields Interiors, and she willingly accepted my offer to come work for her. Although this was a step up, i.e. being related to the boss comes with tons of perks; it was also extremely challenging to live up to the performance bar expected from everyone else at the firm as the boss' daughter.
After five years of working, my mother died suddenly, and I was thrust into the helm of Shields & Company Interiors and it’s been my baby ever since. The most significant thing I did with the business was to move it into New York City, hoping to have an opportunity to play with the big boys and girls of interior design.
Shields & Company offers soup to nuts interior design services. We do complete renovation and design services, having on board architectural staff to assist with the redesign of just about any space. We also have tight associations with several Architects in order to handle projects requiring the services of licensed architects. We select contractors and top level specialists to provide the services needed to do all of the construction work, provide all of the construction drawings needed for bidding out projects, design custom furnishings, and select all of the finishes and materials required for a successful project. We then hold the client's hand through the furniture selection process providing selections from fine designer showrooms, antiques sources and our wide and varied contacts with individual home furnishings designers. We also have associations with several excellent art dealers if you require help you with that aspect of your project.
TW. Most small business owners don't work with a designer. How do you know it's time to hire one?
GS: You need to hire a designer when you want your place of business to look unique and special. There is no way you can accomplish a distinct look, even if you think you have good taste, without the help of one. I often say, when you want your hair to look great you go to a salon to have it cut, you don't do it yourself! The years and years of experience a good designer would bring to the table on any sort of project is an immeasurable added value, assuring success and less headaches. Basically, it's a win- win in my book.
TW. Are you finding more clients on the commercial or residential arena?
I'm finding a mixture of clients these days, although my experience is more in the residential arena. However, I have always believed you carry over your same design talents from one area to the other. If you are good, then you can tackle anything. I would welcome the opportunity to do some small commercial projects, like a boutique hotel for example. Of course, it goes without saying that with the climate of the economy today , any good project is basically a good project!
TW. So what type of clients do you work with?
GS: My experience is primarily with high-end residential clients and high end commercial projects, like lobbies and hallways, private offices, etc.
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Here's a small business tip for you on.....
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