Interior Design Success Story: A New Firm Makes Good
Maybe you’ve heard those dire predictions about new design firms : that one out of three of them will be out of business within two years, and that less than half of new firms will survive beyond four years.
So, it’s nice to be the bearer of good news about a new firm – just a little news from a little Miami-based design firm called Funktional Interiors.
I’ll let owner Ayleen Perez tell it in her own words:
Dear Fred,
Thank you so much for all the advice you give us. I love the down to earth way you express yourself.
I have only been in business a little over a year and it was hard to start a one man firm off the ground. I’m still a one-man firm but have built a team of subcontractors who are great. I there there is very little we can’t do!
I have worked very hard, marketed a lot, hosted events, sponsored events and spent money. I didn’t have to impress (anyone) and look like a bigger firm.
It has worked! I am now almost completely out of debt and Funktional is well known in different circles. 2009 is starting off good; a local celebrity’s home and a monthly radio spot…yay!
Hellraiser: Bloodline the movie
Thanks again. Please keep bringing the good advice.
Cheers,
Ayleen Perez
Funktional Interiors
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your good news. What’s working? What’s hot? What’s making a hit for you now? Please send your success stories to me at
Fred Berns: Interior Design Industry Coach, Speaker, Trainer
Comments (2)
Congratulations on the start of your new business! This is a different, but to me an exciting time to be a business owner. It makes us think outside the box in terms of marketing. In my 14 years of business I have never worked so hard at marketing, but it IS making a difference….so best wishes to you for a prosperous year!
Thank you Fred, what an honor to be written up on your site.
Its been a mission but Ive had a good time all along. Believe in yourselves, in your talent, and put your name EVERYWHERE so others can believe in you too. How many times have we bought something or gone to a service company just because we see them everywhere? I know I have. We automatically think they are popular and therefore worthy of us trying them out. I sponsor and sometimes produce monthly events at art galleries and every time there is a fund raiser for a charity or something related to arts, I offer a free consultation as a prize in the raffles. I have not stopped working since I opened the firm. Some jobs are small but they add up!
I truly think that even if times are tough, if we keep working and promoting we will be in a great position when things normalize again.
Love & Luck to all,
Ayleen Perez
Owner / Designer
Funktional Interiors