This is us: Q&A

7.2.2024

Hey, ladies! So glad we’re doing this today. Let’s dive into some questions about our journey here! Hopefully, we can share some juicy insight on topics that other interior design lovers have swirling in their minds as well!

Have you always wanted to run your own company, when did you realize you wanted to? And what do you like about owning your own business?

Britt: I realized I wanted to own my own business after the blood, sweat and tears shed at my last interior design job (laughs) Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all terrible. I learned a ton and met these wonderful ladies and many other beautiful friendships came out of it, so there is a silver lining. But I no longer wanted to answer to the ‘man’ and wanted to make my own schedule. I like working with my friends, calling the shots and learning and growing in the process, not only as a business owner but on a personal level, too.

Cat: (laughs) How’s the saying go? “If you don’t build your dreams someone else will hire you to help build theirs.” Truth! And I do love that where we last worked had it ups and downs like any job would, ultimately, it fostered so many great lasting relationships. So I remember when I was in high school getting ready to go to college, with no real direction at all, I had an aunt ask me what I wanted to do/be. And I just blurted out CEO! What! I didn’t have a clue as to why I answered that. And she said, “Yes, but for what?” She probably thought, “This child, stay in high school!” I just knew that was someone who ran a company. But I had absolutely no idea what business I wanted to run. I didn’t personally know a single “CEO” or that it was just a title with so many varying hats depending on what business you’re operating. It was like someone that was not me answered. Something innate knew strongly from a young age that I would never be OK with not creating something of my very own to operate. I never questioned it or had any desire to not be in the realm of running my own business. It’s crazy that we are pulled to do something from so early on. And then when I knew without a doubt that interior design was where my heart was, it made sense to step out and establish that with you ladies. 

Pris: So cool to hear how our individual paths led us here, to TDS. Personally, as silly as it sounds, I never really thought about the exact type of job I’d have in the future. My dream was to be a designer—whether it was production design, interior design, or textile design. The main thing was that I saw myself creating, and I didn’t worry about who would be signing the checks. How naive, right? Overall I just knew that designing and creating were my future. I took any job that would push me towards that goal. When I ended up at the “design firm that shall not be named” (whispers abracadabra under breath), where I met you lovely ladies, I quickly realized that working tirelessly for someone else’s dream wasn’t good for my mental health. My soul needed something different, and thankfully it found Triadic. Funny enough, many of my family members are business owners. It's surprising to me that the entrepreneurial seed hadn’t been planted earlier, or perhaps it had, but it just hadn't seen the light yet.

What about interior design do you love the most?

Pris: I love that we have the power to create! We create ambiance, peace, playfulness, function, and harmony, to name a few. The possibilities that interior design can bring to life are simply endless. Wouldn't you guys agree? 

Cat: One thousand percent I agree. I love that a space can make us feel a sort of way with how it’s designed. It’s beautiful that materials and objects we surround ourselves with can weave a story that we want to tell. I love that interior design can cultivate a mood lift or make us social or feel inward. It’s an amazing creative and healing outlet that can be experienced in so many ways. 

Britt: I completely agree with you both! I love it all! BUT if I had to choose one thing, it would be the psychology of design. It is fascinating and so rewarding to figure out what people like and why they like it through detailed questions and nonverbal cues. I find it incredible that we can understand what their aesthetic is based on their answers or non-answers.

What motivates you?

Britt: Making people happy :)

Pris: Hmmm passion, innovation, humanity, spirit, design…honestly the tiniest spark of life can bring moments of inspiration, no? 

Cat: Aww I like that! You both motivate me. Having partners who rely on you is a huge motivation to show up each day and strive to be better. My future version is also a motivator. Knowing that my yesterday and tomorrow version would high-five the today version of me keeps me aspiring for higher. 

What would you consider success? Or how do you measure success? 

Pris: Success can be measured in countless ways. For some, money is the obvious metric; for others, it’s happiness and fulfillment. Personally, after a year of big personal and professional transition, I’d say I measure success by peace—peace of mind and serenity. It's what my spirit craves and what I strive for every day.

Cat: That’s such a powerful state of being to attain, peace. I agree sistah! I was going to say something about contentment in the now and then I remember when I was trying to figure out life (which you girls know is like every other day!) I jotted down a few must-haves in my notes app and I go back to it whenever I lose my way! 1) making progress towards a purpose that feels truly worthy of my time, 2) staying present and not letting my mind wander to the past or future, 3) protecting my focus and attention span, and 4) having really deep relationships with people. 4 out of 4 is a blessing. 3 out of 4, gorgeous. If I can do that in a day, I’m counting it a “W”. 

Britt: I agree with you ladies, peace and staying in the present are major! I think success for me is having a healthy work/life balance and having the funds to live debt-free, pay my bills on time, and travel to new places. It is really just about having a joyous and full life spent with loved ones :) 

What are some challenges or struggles that you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say that they were (big) struggles or relatively minor? 

Is there something you wish you’d known about owning your own design firm before you started?

Britt: I learned that there is a lot that goes into owning your own company! It’s not just design, it’s 80% business and 20% design. So the creative aspect is just a smidge of the whole. I also learned that jumping in blindly and figuring it out as you go is a struggle. I wish we had distinguished our roles and structured our company with an internal workflow before we set out on our first project, but hey, we figured it out eventually. 

Pris: Our struggles are always relative to the moment in time we face them. A challenge I might be grappling with today could seem trivial two years from now. I’ve learned to give myself and those around me as much grace as possible to get through the daily struggles. Dismissing or comparing them to the struggles of others only robs us of the valuable lessons each challenge has to offer. 

I totally agree with you Britt. I definitely wish there had been a more straightforward roadmap when it came to owning our own business. But then again, the word “own” is in the title, suggesting a unique journey for every business, much like a license plate or barcode. Every time we thought we had found a solid reference point, four more paths would open up. Ultimately, it all worked out, but the constant learning never ends.

Cat: I love that you both touched base on the reality of the 80/20 rule and the danger of the comparison game. So true. For me, it’s remembering “progress over perfection”, right? Because perfection means there’s no more room to grow. I’ve learned that evolving is really good. Ideate, innovate, implement, adjust, and do it all over again and again as many times as you need to! Laying the systems and processes specific to our business was so important at the forefront but knowing that it can all change with one new inspiration or client need. Oof! I think in the beginning my mindset was let’s finalize this document or layout to the best of our abilities and then we never have to deal with it again! It will be one more thing crossed off our never-ending list. But we’ve changed and updated our systems and processes so many times! I mean, the number of renditions! And each time I learn more about what our business needs and us as a trio. Each time we grow so much from it. I think if we’re not evolving, we’re not growing and that is worse than perfection.  

What piece of business advice would you give to a design student or new graduate when entering the industry?

Pris: I would ask them to think about whether they want to own their own business or contribute to a firm. Both paths offer great opportunities, but they are two distinct journeys requiring different preparations and mindsets.

Cat: That’s great advice, Pris. And allow yourself to be a sponge. Soak everything in. Speak less and listen intently more. Be open to other design styles that are in opposition to your favored one, how to do something even if it’s different than your preferred way, whether it’s drawings, operations, or anything. And find a mentor. Make those meaningful connections.  

Britt: School only teaches you so much. It’s about getting out there and getting the experience through trial and error. And, out in our field, design is part of the work but most of what you’ll do is project management and therapy for your clients as they go through the process. 

Lastly, what is the most rewarding aspect of the design process for you? 

Britt: The finished result. Seeing your client’s desires for the space and your ideas come to life. It’s a joint effort!

Cat: It is a joint effort, right?! You know that magical moment when it clicks for our clients and they see and appreciate the value of thoughtful interior design? I mean, c’mon chef’s kiss, that makes my heart full. When they get excited about the vision that we’ve created together and then confidently put all their trust into our hands that makes it beyond worth it. It feels like we’re a part of building something special. The fact that our clients can trust us to create for them a healing environment that affects all other aspects of their lives is a blessing. 

Pris: Magical indeed! (fairy dust casually blows through - cough cough) I would have to say the most rewarding aspect for me is seeing the transformative impact our designs have on our clients' lives. We may not be saving lives, but we are certainly creating meaningful changes in our clients' daily experiences.

Alright, ladies! Well, that was fun! Love hearing what we all had to share. We gotta do this again.

Til next time friends! Chat soon!