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A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design  Business Podcast

328: Catherine Hersacher: Going From a Big Interior Design Market to a Small Interior Design Market

A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

LuAnn Nigara

Business, Design, Arts

4.8786 Ratings

🗓️ 29 May 2018

⏱️ 85 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Welcome to today's show! We are very happy to introduce you to Catherine Hersacher, the founder of Bespoke Fine Interiors in Aiken, South Carolina. On the show today Catherine talks to us about how she translates and brings her worldly exposure and background to the small-horse community of Aiken. Running an interior design firm in a small, tight-knit community has some very specific challenges, but there are pro's to it as well. On today's show, Catherine also talks a bit about her consultation process. She is able to achieve a design for any project that is cogent with her client's tastes and context. Listen in today to find out more about working as an interior designer in a smaller market.              Catherine, originally from Massachusetts, founded Bespoke Fine Interiors in Aiken South Carolina in 2012, with fourteen years of design experience behind her. She previously worked for some of the top firms in the country, in the high-end residential and ultra-exclusive hospitality sectors of the design industry. Catherine gained invaluable knowledge in the luxury residential design field while working in Palm Beach, Florida. Then, moving to the Northeast, Catherine joined an exclusive hospitality design firm as an interior designer and specifications manager. Many of the projects were five-star and boutique properties, including hotels, clubhouses, residential towers and conference centers. These projects were often located all around the globe. Catherine was part of the Asia team and was frequently sent to present and conduct site visits in China and Hong Kong. Listen in to find out what Catherine has to share on the show today. Show highlights: Catherine discusses her backward approach to her career. Catherine's return to school to get an undergraduate degree in architecture and a master's in product design. Giving in to her horse addiction and moving to Aiken South Carolina. The importance of setting your limits. How Catherine manages to find the right work-life balance. The type of design projects that Catherine works with, in Aiken. Saying 'yes' to repeat work. Catherine explains her superpower. What Catherine loves the most about the market that she works with. The awesome relationship that Catherine has with her current clients. Working with a mid-level market. All of Catherine's work comes from word-of-mouth and most of it comes from builders. Why Catherine does not specialize in any particular market. What Catherine finds the most challenging part of her work. About Catherine's relationships with her contractors. Why Catherine never thought that she would ever own her own business. The way that Catherine has grown since starting her own business. Catherine describes her initial consultation process. Having the budget conversation in the first fifteen minutes of the consultation. Other episodes mentioned in this show: Susan Yeley #208 Natalie Hurst #172 Blanche Garcia #282  Links: Website: Bespoke Instagram: Bespoke Fine Interiors  @bespokefineinteriors Facebook: Bespoke Fine Interiors

Transcript

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0:00.0

Have you heard about the exciting new exhibit by the Black Artists and Designers Guild,

0:05.6

which was commissioned by the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City?

0:11.1

Big news, right?

0:12.6

The Cooper Hewitt's exhibition is called Making Home, Smithsonian Design Triennial.

0:18.2

Now, the batch designers exhibit is titled the Underground Library,

0:23.8

inspired by the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is the clandestine network

0:28.6

established in the early 19th century through which many enslaved African Americans

0:33.6

traveled in search of freedom. This library installation represents a 21st century sanctuary surrounded by art, objects,

0:43.5

artifacts, and books of black legacy.

0:46.9

In reimagining and repurposing the Andrew Carnegie Personal Library,

0:52.7

badge invites you to examine the power of home libraries

0:56.1

and the significance of literacy, remembering that African Americans were denied the right to read

1:02.3

under slavery. I'm honored to share that Window Works in Livingston was asked by badge to create

1:08.7

the flat panels for the windows. We used a custom design fabric

1:12.5

by badge members, and the fabric was fabricated by Stacey Garcia's team at Libatex. So please make a

1:20.0

point to visit this inspired space the next time you are in New York City. The exhibition runs

1:25.5

from November 24 all the way through August 10th,

1:30.0

2025. So you have plenty of time to get this on your calendar. We will put links in the show notes. Welcome to a well-designed business.

1:50.7

My name is Luann Nigara, and I'm so glad you found this podcast.

1:54.5

Together with my husband Vince and our partner, Bill, we have grown our company Window Works from the ground up.

2:00.2

So I know and I understand the challenges you face in running your interior design business.

2:06.5

I also know that your talent alone isn't enough to ensure your success.

...

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