It doesn’t always cost an arm and a leg to start a small business.
Lisa Martin and Robyn Wright started their interior design firm, Belle Interiors, in October for about $1,000.
The pair meet clients in their homes to help people who need a home transformation, contractor and furniture recommendations, or design advice.
Both left other industries. Martin worked in marketing for Madison and Main, and Wright had been an engineer-turned-stay-at-home mom. And although their previous work experience has little to do with interior design, the pair saw a connection that was strong enough to give it a go.
“We’re gifted to do this whether we went to school for it or not. It’s fun and we enjoy working together,” said Martin.
Wright had a casual interest in interior design and had done some interior design work for friends and her own homes over the years.
Martin has a degree in English from VCU and worked for Madison and Main for about a year and a half as a business relations manager. She left that job in March.
“I wanted the flexibility of my own business,” Martin said. “I thought, ‘What can I do part time, where I could still make money and have enough time to be with my family?”
And Martin’s time at the ad firm has come in handy at the new company.
“I learned a lot about marketing and branding and made a lot of contacts. It’s perfect for what we need for our business now,” Martin said.
The business has progressed, albeit slowly. So far Belle Interiors has designed rooms for five clients, and they are growing through word of mouth and referrals.
“We really want the average person to live in a beautiful space that’s affordable at the same time,” Martin said.
Belle charges about $300 to $350 per room for a design board, which shows clients a preview of what the room could look like. There is then an hourly rate depending on the number and size of rooms, what the client wants, and where they buy the products.
The $1,000 used to start Belle Interiors went toward creating a website, a logo and the usual costs of incorporation.
The next part of the plan is to beef up marketing and the technology of its website. They’ve only had a handful of clients, which have mostly been through referral, word of mouth, and Facebook and Twitter pages.
They’re also working on an interactive component for their website where clients can upload a picture of their room and try out different designs.
“I want to begin doing virtual design,” Martin said. “Clients will be able to click on a link and purchase the products they want for that room.”
It doesn’t always cost an arm and a leg to start a small business.
Lisa Martin and Robyn Wright started their interior design firm, Belle Interiors, in October for about $1,000.
The pair meet clients in their homes to help people who need a home transformation, contractor and furniture recommendations, or design advice.
Both left other industries. Martin worked in marketing for Madison and Main, and Wright had been an engineer-turned-stay-at-home mom. And although their previous work experience has little to do with interior design, the pair saw a connection that was strong enough to give it a go.
“We’re gifted to do this whether we went to school for it or not. It’s fun and we enjoy working together,” said Martin.
Wright had a casual interest in interior design and had done some interior design work for friends and her own homes over the years.
Martin has a degree in English from VCU and worked for Madison and Main for about a year and a half as a business relations manager. She left that job in March.
“I wanted the flexibility of my own business,” Martin said. “I thought, ‘What can I do part time, where I could still make money and have enough time to be with my family?”
And Martin’s time at the ad firm has come in handy at the new company.
“I learned a lot about marketing and branding and made a lot of contacts. It’s perfect for what we need for our business now,” Martin said.
The business has progressed, albeit slowly. So far Belle Interiors has designed rooms for five clients, and they are growing through word of mouth and referrals.
“We really want the average person to live in a beautiful space that’s affordable at the same time,” Martin said.
Belle charges about $300 to $350 per room for a design board, which shows clients a preview of what the room could look like. There is then an hourly rate depending on the number and size of rooms, what the client wants, and where they buy the products.
The $1,000 used to start Belle Interiors went toward creating a website, a logo and the usual costs of incorporation.
The next part of the plan is to beef up marketing and the technology of its website. They’ve only had a handful of clients, which have mostly been through referral, word of mouth, and Facebook and Twitter pages.
They’re also working on an interactive component for their website where clients can upload a picture of their room and try out different designs.
“I want to begin doing virtual design,” Martin said. “Clients will be able to click on a link and purchase the products they want for that room.”
Congratulations Lisa and Robyn for an interesting concept. I like the idea of being able to pull ideas for my rooms off a website. Based on what I’m reading here, you will be building a technology company more than a design company…using technology in novel ways to deliver a more traditional service. I’m guessing your model will change a lot as you move forward. Amy, thanks for bringing this to our attention, but I disagree with your opening line: It doesn’t always cost an arm and a leg to start a small business. Yes it does. Reality Check #2.5: Not… Read more »