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Behind the Design: Ivy Design Firm Staci Munic Interiors – Chicago & Palm Springs

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Staci – how did you get where you are today?

Staci Munic: I am a Chicago girl, born and raised! I come from a very closely knit, loving family, as I am the daughter of a Holocaust escapee, and I am a first generation American on my dad’s side. My artsy, beautiful, industrious mom was born and raised on Chicago’s south side, and has a zillion aunts, uncles, and cousins, as my Nana was the youngest of 9 and my Papa was the eldest of 11! My darling, hard working, jeux de vie parents had the foresight to buy a vacation home in Palm Springs in the 70’s where my family escaped harsh winters and embraced the desert lifestyle. Hiking, tennis, golf, poolside parties, lively restaurants, and an admiration for mid century art, design, and culture drew us in like bees to honey. Palm Springs truly was our second home, and as my parents grew older, they began spending more and more time there.

I have a BA in Business and Hospitality Management from Michigan State, where I also participated in a culinary program at Ecole Hotelier in Lausanne, Switzerland.  I returned to Chicago, upon graduating, and after managing upscale dining restaurants for Levy (Spiaggia, Bistro 110, and Blackhawk Lodge), I founded a specialty wholesale bakery, Little Miss Muffin, and was the CEO for 15 years. Being fluent in Spanish, and always interested in teaching, I earned my MAT in Elementary and Middle School Education, where I completed my student teaching in a dual language program in Highland Park, after I sold the business. While this professional aspect of my life was growing, I also got married, had two children, got divorced, got remarried, got divorced (again) and moved 8 times between 1995-2014. Every house in which I lived was a fixer upper, or, if it was already fixed-up, I made substantial changes to make it our family’s home, and I always worked directly with my contractors and architects, who would say to me, “Stac, you really should be a designer.”

How did I become a designer? Well, that’s a great story. Upon completion of my Master’s program, I went back to Little Miss Muffin for a year to consult, meanwhile, I was in the process of selling one home while rebuilding and designing another home (on the other side of town for my family with my second husband). One of the potential buyers said to me, “We love your stunning home! We are not going to buy it, but can we please have your decorator’s contact info?” I told her that I design and decorate my homes, and she asked me if I would do hers, and my son said, “Yes, she will,” and that was my first client.

 

It has always been important for me to be an expert at whatever it is I am doing. So, I started to research design schools, however, I couldn’t find a program that fit my time schedule, as I was already busy working with clients, and I was a single mom of two teenagers. I completed an online course, Certified Interior Decorator, and through Ivy and several other professional organizations at which I’m affiliated, I attend countless workshops, conferences, and educational seminars. So, there you have it!

 

You spend half of your time in Chicago and half of your time in Palm Springs. Tell us how you balance your time between both cities…

SM: It really depends on where my projects take me. Since this is new for me, time will tell.

How would you describe your ideal / target client?

SM: Truly, I would consider any client that trusts me, respects my time, appreciates my value, and is a kind person.

Single working parents have been a great demographic for me. For starters, I can relate to their lifestyle. They are super busy, don’t have a significant other that has to give approval on budget or decisions, and are very grateful for the personal and efficient service I provide. They are also extra thrilled to have their home transformed into a place they absolutely love. Another growing market for me has been empty nesters “right-sizing”. It can be daunting to move a lifetime of furniture and sentimental collections.

Who are your favorite vendors and tradespeople to work with in Chicago and Palm Springs?

SM: Kravet, CAI, Circa Lighting, Studio 41, Roca, and Porcelanosa.

How does designing make you feel? What’s your business mantra?

SM: Designing homes fills all of my buckets, as it melds all of my life experiences. The beauty and artisanship I encounter every day is overwhelming and inspiring. I am able to be creative and entrepreneurial all at once, while simultaneously helping my clients enjoy and feel proud about their homes in a way they couldn’t imagine. Reducing clients’ stress and anxiety levels about the design process is also incredibly gratifying. Above all else, the relationships I have formed with my clients, vendors, and trades are precious to me. My mantra: I treat my clients’ projects as if they were my own.  

What are some common business dilemmas you face and how do you navigate them?

SM: Honestly, managing my time is my Achilles heel. I think I can squeeze 36 hours into a 24 hour day. I work well under pressure, so I tend to procrastinate.  

It’s tricky for me to figure out an ideal way to charge for both my time and products sold. For now, I bill an hourly rate and am completely transparent about my pricing process: I add a 15% project and product management fee to all services and products I touch. There is simply no way to keep track of every text, phone call, and email, with clients and vendors. My clients respond well to this format.

Whenever I feel stuck, I turn to Ivy. I learn so much from the resources provided by Ivy, including webinars and podcasts, and apply that knowledge to my business practices.  

 

Why did you join Ivy?

SM: Having worked alongside many team members in a fast paced, customer-facing business in the hospitality industry and in education, becoming a designer felt quite isolating. I missed interacting and collaborating with people at the level to which I was accustomed and enjoyed. I also felt that I was reinventing the wheel every time I started a new design project. After my demo with Reisa of Ivy, I was elated, and I joined!

 

How does Ivy help streamline your day-to-day workflow as an interior designer?

SM: Ivy has completely streamlined my proposals, purchase orders, and invoicing, and for that, I am grateful!

What’s an Ivy feature you can’t live without?

SM: The Ivy Product Clipper, and my growing library of products, of course! The time tracker and client invoicing components are also a game changer.  

 

What have you learned from the Ivy Designer Network?

SM: Collaboration over competition. We truly are stronger together, especially with the power technology has given our clients. I posted a question to the community about Chief Architect training, and I received great feedback.

 

How has Ivy transformed your business?

SM: Ivy has taken my business to the next level. It has enhanced my small shop’s image as professional and polished and has empowered me with knowledge and a trusted pool of professionals in the interior design world. Ivy is my Board of Directors. Thanks, Ivies!

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Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

 

This April, Ivy Designers played with fresh pops of pastel.

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Ivy Design Firm Jen Talbot Design

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhb7yFUAA6y/?taken-by=jentalbotdesign

Ivy Design Firm Breathe Design Studio

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhxVuzvhRYT/?taken-by=breathedesign

Ivy Design Firm Kristen Fegale Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhPkkNdHKi-/?taken-by=kristenfegaleinteriors

Ivy Design Firm 22 Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhpeKlGAl42/?taken-by=22interiors

Ivy Design Firm Megan Ann McFarland Style & Design

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhp9sr5DKQ5/?taken-by=meganannmcfarland

Ivy Design Firm Mix & Match Design Company

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhw3qX7g6UH/?taken-by=mixandmatchdesigncompany

Ivy Design Firm Alison Giese Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh6ferijfkR/?taken-by=alison_giese

Ivy Design Firm Amal Kapen Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhRNYDFjayp/?taken-by=amalkapeninteriors

Ivy Design Firm Lindye Galloway Interiors

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-XzAanoCD/?taken-by=lindyegalloway

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Here at Ivy, we’re more than just an interior design software. Our mission is to provide interior designers with the community, resources and tools needed to manage your business beautifully. Are you searching for a business management tool to help streamline your workflow as an interior designer?

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Behind the Design: Ivy Design Firm CAROLYNLEONA – Raleigh, NC

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Liz – how did you get where you are today?

Liz Goldberg: I was born and raised on the North Shore of Chicago, where I lived, worked (work hard, play hard, right?), and graduated from design school. My family and I are so happy to now call Raleigh, North Carolina, our home, and this is where I run CAROLYNLEONA Design. Raleigh is a special part of the country, close to both the beach and the mountains, with a fun and eclectic mix of creative people, as well as a great foundation for work/life balance – as elusive as that tends to be.

How is Raleigh unique from other major design hubs?

LG: Raleigh is unique because of its strong, steady growth, its vibrant tech community, and for being able to retain young talent, being located near so many major universities. We are also fortunate to be a major city so close to High Point, the furniture capital of the world. Raleigh is a true melting pot and I simply adore the history of North Carolina as a foundation for the global furniture market. While the old, rich textile past of the state is no longer with us, the patina and culture remain.

 

Who are your favorite local vendors, installers, and people of the trade in North Carolina?

LG: While we do not have a “Merchandise Mart” similar to my hometown of Chicago, the talent in my market is incredible and ever-changing. We are so lucky to be so close to High Point and have gotten to know that town very well over the years. A few of our favorite vendors include:

Visual Comfort – Our very favorite lighting vendor, everything they manufacturer is timeless and beautiful! We love adding their pieces into our projects, bringing a sense of history and depth to a room, the perfect finishing touch.

Zoe Bios Creative – The coolest art and coolest showroom in town! They recently moved into an old tile showroom and the walls and floors are covered in unique, intricate patterns, the perfect backdrop for modern, gorgeous artwork. Amy Flurry, the talented author of Recipe For Press, introduced us to this showroom when we attended her recent book launch event.

Antique & Design Center – No trip to market is complete until we walk through the Antique & Design Center at Market Square. We love seeing original pieces from all over the world that provide so much inspiration for our designs. Since we are less than a two hour drive away, we are lucky enough to be able to pack our SUV full of one-of-a-kind goodies to bring back to our clients, and ourselves!

Henredon – Traditional, timeless and well kept. We stop at Henredon every market to see what Mark D. Sikes has dreamed up in his newest collections each season. His vignettes and spaces are finished to perfection, details always matter.

And, of course, we are always on the lookout for new resources to bring to our clients and use market as a place to form new and lasting relationships with vendors. A few markets ago, we met Maggie Cruz Home who makes the most beautiful upholstered side pieces in the most candy shop-inspired pastel fabrics and washed wood finishes. And then there is Red Egg, which happens to be located in a charming, old house. The owner, Carol Gregg, is a wonderful hostess, who is always ready to show us around her beautifully handcrafted Asian furniture, lacquered with vibrant colors.

Do you attend markets? If so, what are you go-to-markets and what’s your market strategy?

LG: High Point Market, ICFF in NYC and the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market® are our current go-to markets. My strategy has evolved over the years and the most important advice I can share is simple – that success is all about planning beforehand to get the most out of every minute of your time at market. Staying organized, disciplined, and on schedule is key, as well as being mindful of how many days you want to power through while staying on top of your game. Making sure we don’t over schedule our days is so important as some of our most exciting moments have occurred when walking past a showroom that inspires us to stop and go in. We use market to continue developing vendor relationships, to find specific pieces for our clients, and of course, to meet up with our Ivy tribe for a glass of red wine (or two!).

How does designing make you feel?

LG: In one word, TIMELESS. I use this word intentionally because design is genuinely my passion and I feel fortunate to design for my clients every day. I do my best to stay in that creative moment while designing, and when I get going, I can go on for hours and hours – it almost feels like time stands still.

What’s your business mantra?

LG: Elevate your everyday! CAROLYNLEONA’s brand must stand the test of time, so every day, I am very conscientious of the importance of clear communication, problem solving for my clients, and to lead my firm with integrity – no matter how much of a rollercoaster the day-to-day with our projects can feel like.

How do you maintain a healthy work / family / personal life balance?

LG: I always want to hear more ideas and thoughts on this topic, too, because I absolutely adore my precious toddler twin daughters and husband, and there is just never enough time in the day. My ever-elusive balance is achieved by these two main ingredients:

The first is to be fully present in whatever you are doing – when I am with my family, my phone is put away and I am totally focused on them. Whether we are singing “Let It Go”  (lots of Anna and Elsa in our house these days), jumping on the trampoline at toddler gymnastics class, or just walking around the produce section of the grocery store picking out our favorite fruit, I stay in the moment. The old cliche is true that “time flies when raising children”. When it is time to work, I fully immerse myself in the project and task at hand. My clients are my priority during business hours.  

The second key is to take care of yourself! If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your family or run your own business. While there is always coffee on hand (and lots of it!), I recharge my battery by taking my favorite barre class at Carolina Barre & Core, who are also clients. We loved helping Amity Whalen with her newest barre studio location floor plan and are so thankful for clients who turn into friends, and, who happen to teach an amazing (and hard!) class. I have always kept a stack of shelter magazines next to my bed, flipping a glossy is a favorite escape. Another key element is that I make sure to eat a healthy diet, which helps me keep my energy up and manage stress. All of these things ensure that I am present and able to commit to both CAROLYNLEONA and my family.

How much time do you dedicate to social media and content marketing?

LG: In the modern design market, commitment to social media and content is key to staying top of mind and building brand awareness. Time varies, but I am working on building content every day. I recently made a pact with myself to plan out and build an editorial calendar, which has been a complete game changer (a huge tip and something I wish I had started sooner!). I always try to think about what is fresh and interesting from my brand’s perspective that my clients and followers will enjoy seeing.

Why did you join Ivy?

LG: My business is continuously growing very rapidly so I began researching platforms to manage my invoicing and product categories. I randomly came across Ivy, had a fantastic demo, and needless to say, signed up that day…little did I know that I was a very early adopter! Beyond the software, I found my favorite aspect of Ivy is the community. Ivy has been a godsend and I am grateful, every day, to be a part of this talented and supportive group of professionals. I can say, without a doubt, that my business has grown much faster being a part of this special platform.

How does Ivy streamline your day-to-day workflow?

LG: Where do I start? Incredible organization and backend management of my projects is just the tip of the iceberg for all that Ivy helps me with in my day-to-day. I love that I can manage all aspects within this extremely complex industry and knowing it is all in one place is a major time saver!

What have you learned from the Ivy Designer Community?

LG: Camaraderie at its finest, it’s like having coworkers who just happen to live all across the country. A few things top of mind are: best practices, new vendors, how to avoid/deal with difficult clients and situations, and planning for markets.

What’s an Ivy feature you can’t live without?

LG: The Ivy Product Clipper! Run, don’t walk, and download this feature today, it is THE BEST! I used to manually type in all product information into excel to communicate and manage each clients’ prefab and custom pieces. Now we just clip, send, and can generate custom tear sheets instead of spending countless hours putting together presentations!

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Ivy is the # 1 software for designers. To learn more about Ivy, schedule a demo with an Ivy Guru who can show you how designers use Ivy to streamline their workflow and make more time for what they love, design.

 

With the development of new technologies over the last few years, the interior design industry has experienced drastic changes in every aspect of the business. Between new softwares, new methods of communicating with clients and vendors, and more, it can be tough navigating all of these shifts in technology. While some of these changes may seem daunting, interior design project management software has completely shifted the way designers work by streamlining their day-to-day workflow and bringing their business management needs online, resulting in a more efficiently run business.

We created a guide of the top interior design project management softwares to help designers understand the key differences and see which platform will work best for their everyday needs.

Ivy

Founded by Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg in 2016, Ivy is an intuitive, easy-to-use project and product management system. Membership includes access to Ivy’s supportive members-only Facebook group, which has been touted as one of the best Facebook groups for interior designers by Editor at Large. Ivy positions itself as the 21st century’s answer to interior design project management software, and helps designers manage their projects from ideation and sourcing all the way through purchasing. On the business management side, Ivy enables users to track and bill time, and pull reports. Ivy’s membership also comes with support, as well as a dedicated account manager and one-on-one training sessions at no additional cost. Additionally, Ivy integrates with Quickbooks Online, allowing designers to let their accountants and bookkeepers handle all of their business’s accounting needs directly in QBO rather than needing to learn a new software. Beyond the platform itself, Ivy also provides hosts weekly educational webinars for interior designers, led by a mix of industry experts from business coaches, to hardwood flooring companies, to 3D Rendering experts. Psst – rumor has it that Ivy is currently developing a mobile app and room boards!

MyDoma

MyDoma Studio is a Canadian-based interior design project management software founded by CEO Sarah Daniele in 2014, with a large focus on client communication and ideation. MyDoma’s client portal connects to a designer’s website (for an added price of $399/year), and enables prospective clients to book and pay for appointments and bundled design packages. While MyDoma is great for e-designers due to its focus on client communication, conceptualization, and its robust client portal, it lacks the robust start-to-finish project management needs like calendars, product schedules, and time tracking/billing that other design project management softwares have.

Studio Designer (formerly Studio Webware)

Studio Designer/Webware is one of the industry’s original project management software, dating back more than 30 years. Founded by Keith Granet and Lance Haeberle, Studio Designer is an all-in-one project and business management tool used by many veteran interior design firms. While Studio’s functional capabilities are very robust, the interface itself is not very user friendly, and we’ve heard from designers there is a significant learning curve. Additionally, we find that bookkeepers who specialize in Studio tend to charge more hourly due to the complicated nature of the built-in accounting functions. A big roadblock with Studio is that support is extremely costly, ranging in price from $2/minute for phone support, to $500 for a one-on-one training session.

Design Manager

Just like Studio, Design Manager is one of the original interior design business management softwares, also dating back 30+ years. A robust software with accounting built-in, Design Manager is favored by established design firms. Similar to studio, Design Manager offers designers many different functions, but designers have told us that the system itself feels antiquated and hard to learn. Unlike Ivy, MyDoma, and Fuigo, Design Manager’s support is pricey, averaging $195/hour, or $95/hour for a personalized one-on-one training. While some firms prefer to use Design Manager due to the fact that accounting is built in, Design Manager-trained-bookkeepers charge above-average rates.

Fuigo

Founded in 2016 by brothers Maurey and Mickey Riad, Fuigo is both a business management software as well as an interior designer coworking space in New York City. Members have the ability to rent a workspace at their Manhattan-based offices starting at $375/month. Fuigo memberships also come with an add-on bookkeeping service ranging in price from $600-$1,600+/month, and the software only integrates with Xero, an accounting software most popular in Australia. Fuigo is one of the few softwares that also offers their members a community outside of technology itself.

Compare and contrast these for yourself using our helpful graph below, and find the best fit for your interior design business.

Feature	Ivy	MyDoma	Studio Webware	Design Manager	Fuigo
Unlimited *free* support	X	X			X
QBO Integration	X
Client dashboard	X	X	X
Community	X				X
Trial period	X	X	X	X	X
Free one-on-one training	X	X
Purchase Orders	X	X	X	X	X
Product Schedule/ Tracker	X		X	X	X
Product Clipper	X	X	X	X	X
Product Library	X	X	X	X	X
Time Tracking/Billing	X	X	X	X	X
Reporting	X	X	X	X	X
Online Payments	X	X	X	X
Cloud-based	X	X	X	X	X

 

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Ivy Podcast Guest: Rebecca Orlov of Orlov Design Co.

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Ivy Co-Founders Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, speak to Ivy Designer Rebecca Orlov of Orlov Design Co. Listen to our entire podcast series on iTunes here.

Rebecca Orlov helps brands and lifestyle companies understand, determine and share their brand voice and visual narrative in meaningful and compelling ways. With almost two decades of creative development & project management experience in advertising and integrated lifestyle marketing, Rebecca has paired her valuable knowledge with her passion for design. Rebecca’s company Orlov Design Co. is a bespoke design agency based in Las Vegas. They design and build brand identities and Squarespace websites for artisanal brands and creative small businesses. They believe that design is the universal language for connecting with people in a meaningful way.

In this Podcast, you’ll learn:

• Thoughts on how Rebecca built a thriving business
• Best practices of creating a strong brand for your interior design firms
• Why interior designers need to focus on building their firm’s brand
• How to balance building a strong brand while running an interior design business
• Mistakes she’s made and learned from

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Ivy Podcast Guest: Vanessa Helmick of Fiore Interiors

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Ivy Co-Founders Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, speak to Ivy Designer Vanessa Helmick of Fiore Interiors. Listen to our entire podcast series on iTunes here.

Vanessa Helmick is the founder of Fiore Home, a residential design firm and showroom in Portland, Maine. She has worked in design since 2007 and opened a boutique style retail store in May of 2016. Today she has focused on residential interiors since 2005. She practiced residential design in Los Angeles and Orange County before relocating to Portland, Maine, in May of 2010. Since that time, her interior design work has been featured in several magazines, newspapers, and radio throughout New England.

In this Podcast, you’ll learn:

• The importance of wholesale pricing and using markups
• How Vanessa sets business intentions
• Tips on handling time management as an interior designer

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Ivy Podcast Guest: Tonie VanderHulst, aka “DezinerTonie” of Luv2Dezin and Decorating Den Interiors

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Ivy Co-Founders Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, speak to Ivy Designer Tonie VanderHulst. Listen to our entire podcast series on iTunes here.

Known to her clients as “DezinerTonie”, Tonie VanderHulst is the principal of Luv2Dezin and owner of a Decorating Den Interiors franchise. In the industry for over 25 years, she and her husband, Pete, operate a full-service Interior Design and Build Firm in Redlands, CA. Tonie and Pete are both licensed General Contractors. Although they have an extensive educational background, they both agree the best education is the ‘School of Hard Knocks’. They both believe that, “You can never know enough, and you never know what you don’t know!”. Perhaps this belief system has been a key driver to their success in the interior design ecosystem. Not including construction contracts, Tonie has written over $22,000,000.00 in products and design fees during her career.

In this podcast, you will learn:

• How DezinerTonie sets business goals
• DezinerTonie’s tips for managing client expectations upfront
• A big lesson learned from a mistake DezinerTonie made and how it shaped how she does things today

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Ivy Podcast Guest: Lori Paranjape of Mrs.Paranjape Design

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Ivy Co-Founders Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, speak to Ivy Designer Lori Paranjape of Mrs.Paranjape Design. Listen to our entire podcast series on iTunes here.

Lori Paranjape is a Nashville-based designer that specializes in luxury residential and new construction— she takes a fresh twist on traditional design to exciting projects around the country. Lori’s clients are drawn to her signature clean design aesthetic and her commitment to delivering a cohesive build with careful attention to details. As a design lover and inspiration junkie, Lori is fueled by a passionate design community which she engages with daily through her amazing Instagram account @mrsparanjape. Her work is published on a regular basis in major magazines and blogs such as Domino, HGTV Magazine, People, and Style Me Pretty Living.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:

• How she onboards new clients, manages this relationship, and their expectations during the lifecycle of a project
• How she handles the process of when a client isn’t happy with a purchased product
• What she plans to do differently with her business in 2018

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Ivy Podcast Guest: Leyla Jaworski of Design Shop Interiors

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Ivy Co-Founders, Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, speak to Ivy Designer Leyla Jaworski of Design Shop Interiors. Listen to our entire podcast series on iTunes here.

In 2010, after 12 years in New York, Leyla moved back to her hometown in Sacramento, CA with her New Yorker husband (Scott), a boxer dog (Tank) in tow, and baby (Jake) on the way. Leyla is a self-taught designer who after ‘designing on the side for over 10 years’, formally launched Design Shop Interiors in 2014 – from her kitchen table. In less than 5 years, DSI has quickly grown to a team of 10 with a waiting list of clients. She knows her way around a construction site and renovating homes is one of her favorite things in life (besides of the 3 beings listed above). You can also count on her to make you laugh and give you her unfiltered, 100% honest opinion.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:

• Leyla’s “ah-ha!” moment in making her interior design business successful
• Leyla’s business model structure and how it works towards her bottom line
• How Leyla grew her team to 10 employees in such a short time
• How Leyla handles unhappy clients

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High Point Market does an excellent job providing designers with access to high quality product, educational programming, and parties that will connect you to designers from around the world. Team Ivy had the chance to attend HPMKT’s Spring 2018 Market and we met hundreds of designers who traveled near and far to experience this Market, the largest Market of its kind. Didn’t make it to High Point Market? Live through us and take a look at some of our highlights.

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Learning from The Editor at Large at The Point

On Saturday morning, we kicked off High Point Market at the The Point on Commerce Ave., the new intimate and well-designed space featuring various round table discussions moderated by popular influencers. The Editor at Large crew, including Julia Noran, Dennis Scully , Melissa Studach, Billy Fisher, and Kaitlin Petersen, shared the hottest HPMKT news, designer collaborations to look out for, must-attend events, and local treasures to hit while at High Point Market (including breakfast at Biscuitville!). We also learned that when High Point Market first launched, attendance was 20% designers, 80% exhibitors. Now, that attendance statistic has jumped to 50% designers, 50% exhibitors!

Learning From Kimberley Seldon at The Point

Designer Kimberley Seldon, also Founder of Business of Design, hosted a round table at The Point to discuss the ins and outs of running a design firm. Kimberley emphasized some great tips including:

• Don’t be scared to raise your rates. As a designer, you’re entitled to earn a living!

• If you’re ready to make your first hire (but don’t know how to prioritize their time), put that new employee ON THE PHONE to sell client consultations.

• If you make strong relationships with your vendors, you can trust them to get you out of a bind.

Kelli Ellis Party at Sunpan

Sunpan unveiled The Kelli Ellis Collection x Sunpan, a new exclusive furniture collection designed and curated by Kelli Ellis. We celebrated the debut alongside hundreds of designers and incredible live music.

Morning Mimosas at ZUO

On Sunday Morning, Ivy gathered at the new ZUO Hospitality Showroom to get an early morning buzz with mimosas and good designer company.

An Inspiring Panel at Abbyson

On Sunday afternoon, Ivy organized a special presentation for designers who were interested in learning more about how Ivy streamlines the day-to-day workflow for designers’ business operations. Following the Ivy demonstration, Abbyson shared details about their wonderful trade program.

Following the presentations, Abbyson opened the doors to their Design Center to host an inspiring panel. Ivy Designers Christina Samatas & Renee DiSanto of Park & Oak Design moderated a panel with the talented designer and author, Christopher Kennedy, Ivy Designers Barette & Christina of Widell + Boschetti, and Ivy Designer & Nashville star, Lori Paranjape of Mrs. Paranjape Design + Interiors, about the strategies they use to develop profitable business models for their firms. The panelists discussed how they hold themselves accountable for business goals, pain points they face when managing their own business and how they remedy these issues, talking to clients about mark-ups, and why they have evolved their business models over time. In this panel, we learned:

• It’s important to remind yourself of why you got into the design business in the first place. These reminders will help you stay focused and target the right clients you want to acquire.

• Get comfortable with talking about money. Once you get comfortable with that, financial conversations will be easier with your clients. If you’re weird about money, your potential clients will pick up on that and you won’t land the client.

• Don’t be shy to reach out to people via Instagram! Instagram is one of the most valuable channels to making connections and acquiring new leads.

• Acknowledge what your strengths and weaknesses are and delegate your weaknesses (i.e. renderings, social media, project management). The only way to scale your business is to learn how to delegate.

• Don’t open one million trade accounts. Be loyal to the vendors you make relationships with.

• We’re all human. But if you make a mistake once, do everything in your power not to make that mistake with your client again.

• Consider additional revenue streams such as opening a brick & mortar shop, blog collaborations, and product licensing.

• Don’t work without getting paid first.

Soraa x MyDomaine Panel at Madcap Cottage

My Domaine and Soraa hosted an intimate panel at the Madcap Cottage about the powerful impact of lighting on design, mood, and our health. Hosted by MyDomaine‘s editorial director, Sacha Strebe, the panel featured interior experts Heather Garrett, MA Allen, Jason Oliver Nixon, and John Loecke. Despite the rain, the location was a feast for the eyes, plus, there was a fun photo booth!

Dinner at Print Works Bistro at the Proximity Hotel

After a long day on your feet, it’s nice to sit back, relax, and re-hydrate. There’s no room for that at High Point Market! After a day of shopping for product and learning from panels, designers head to the Proximity Hotel to have boozy dinners at the Print Works Bistro. The food is amazing and the designer sightings are even better.

Learning From Consort Design at The Point

On Monday morning, the Consort Design team shared their social media tips, including:

• Personify your client, write those details down, and post every image on your Instagram Feed and Story to target this specific client.

• Share what you wear, what you eat, and what your lifestyle is comprised of on your Instagram. Your clients want to see you as an influencer. They want to hire you and then brag about you to their friends.

• At the end of each week, review all of your Instagram posts and identify which posts had the most comments and likes. Eventually, you will see a trend. Once you figure this out, continue to post what works!

Learning About Expanding Your Design Firm with a Brick & Mortar

At Market Square, Jane Dagmi, Editor in Chief of Designers Today, moderated a panel with Barclay Butera, Christopher Kennedy, Bobbi Jo Engelby, Susan Jamieson, and Lori Paranjape to discuss the ins and outs of opening retail spaces which included: combining online and in-store marketing strategies; creating a unique customer experience; hidden costs; design collectives; finding the right location and more.

Henna Happy Hour at Jaipur

On Monday Night, Ivy hosted a henna happy hour at the beautiful Jaipur Living Showroom. Ivy Co-Founders, Alexandra Schinasi and Lee A. Rotenberg, greeted guests and who had the opportunity to mingle with Jaipur Living CEO, Asha Chaudhary, and get beautiful henna.

Morning Mimosas at Stark Studio Rugs

On Tuesday morning, we hosted an intimate get together at the Stark Studio Rugs Showroom High Point Market debut. Designers were introduced to Stark VP, Chad Stark, and had the opportunity to learn more about this new affordable line and wish Ivy Co-Founder, Lee A. Rotenberg, a very happy birthday! Stark gave away one free 3×5 rug to a lucky raffle winner!

What Ivy Members Learned at Market

We interviewed Ivy Members who had the chance to attend High Point Market. Check out their insights!

“High Point Market was so overwhelming and amazing. I was completely blown away by the curation and quality of Oly Studio. Their work was just absolutely stunning. Also, if you don’t know about it yet, look into Pandora de Balthazar’s European bed pillows. They are like absolute heaven.” – Ivy Designer Sara Malek Barney of BANDD DESIGN

“I loved Thibaut, they do custom anything! I was also inspired by Robert Junior. The CEO of the company walked me through their products and services and was so professional and passionate about his company!” – Ivy Designer Darla Powell of Darla Powell Interiors

“The main thing I learned this Market is to dedicate time exclusively to visiting new vendors. A big shout out to Rachel Madden at Rachel Madden Interiors who was interested in product from Alder & Tweed and after checking them out online, I opened an account. They have great product with amazing price points…I also visited the John Richards Showroom and it turns out my area representative is someone I grew up with who I haven’t seen in years…what a showroom, the best I’ve ever visited at High Point. We loved everything. We were so excited to find a beautiful light fixture with a fan incorporated inside. Next market, we decided to have a list of vendors we have never visited and to dedicate a couple of days exploring them. We also found a great restaurant at The Proximity Hotel which we didn’t know existed.” – Ivy Designer Mary Gorman of Coco Interior Designs

“High Point Market was amazing. There were so many impressive vendors, it is hard to choose a couple. I live in Atlanta and have access to so much so this was my first trip to High Point. I was in search of a few new vendors, specifically vendors that have great looking beds, side tables and coffee tables, lighting and mirrors. My top three were Carvers Guild , Elegant Earth, and Modern History. Carvers Guild has the most beautiful mirrors that are hand sculpted. The price point is amazing. We had a lovely conversation with the owner and designer, Carol Canner. She has been designing mirrors for over 50 years. They will be used in our projects for sure. I’m an existing client at Elegant Earth and was so pleased to see many of their new products – always beautiful, classic and just pretty. The Modern History Showroom was beautiful and welcoming. I have an existing account with them but it was great to see and touch their product in person. Their price point is a great middle to high and I believe it’s of great quality which is important for me to pass along to my client. They are happy to work with designers which is key.

I learned so much this Market. I especially enjoyed meeting and listening to Alexa Hampton in Henredon‘s Showroom. She and a panel of four were talking about mentorship – how to mentor and be mentored. There was great insight and she was hysterical. My favorite event was the event Ivy hosted with the panel including Christopher Kennedy. I think the whole audience could have stayed there for hours. I was reaffirmed by so many things they said and was given so much new insight. My biggest take away from that is to stop using the word “mark up”. I am immediately changing my language to say “fair market value”. I loved meeting the Ivy Team. It made me love using Ivy even more. I told Ivy Co-Founder, Alexandra Schinasi, ‘Ivy has given me the opportunity to have my family life back. No more late hours working on billing, invoicing, etc. I truly love it.’

I was also inspired by High Point itself. There are so many charming old buildings and so much history – especially in the design industry. I was also inspired by some of the small vendors just getting started and by the abundance of creativity.” – Ivy Designer Sande Beck of Sande Beck Design

“I loved so much at High Point Market. My favorites were Piper Collection, Artesia outdoor (so fab!), HONOUR Collective, Selamat, Gabby, Windy O Connor, ZUO, TOV, Orent Express, ROWE, Modway, The BLUSH Label, CDI, Maison, Janus et Cie, DV Kap pillows, Europe 2 You, Gina Julian, and Cotton and Quill.” – Ivy Designer Wendy Fennell of Bohemian Bungalow Designs