Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Brasch.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kelly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I actually had a midlife career change. Out of college, I worked for a large corporation in various marketing roles. During that time, I went to graduate school in the evenings to obtain my Master’s degree in Business Administration. When I had children, I took a break from the workforce to stay home with my boys while they were little. When my youngest one was in kindergarten, I started to think about whether I would go back to work. The corporate world was never my cup of tea. I did, however, have a natural gift when it came to seeing a home’s potential and making it functional as well as beautiful.
After much encouragement, I decided to pursue my true passion and enrolled in the Illinois Institute of Art where I received a certificate in Residential Interior Décor. This program was essential because it taught me many of the technical skills such as drafting rooms to scale, space planning, and designing electrical plans to name a few. It was a big bonus that I already understood the business side of things.
Once I completed the curriculum in 2008, I started my residential interior design business. Right out of the gate, I was lucky because a friend of mine referred me to someone who was looking to remodel her basement, and I was hired for the job. Since then, I have been blessed with a steady flow of wonderful clients. So much of my business consists of repeat clients as well as referrals. I also get several inquiries from my company web site and my profile on Houzz. Thankfully, business continues to grow each year. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to do what I love!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first few years were a bit tough because we were going through a recession. Home building went to a screeching halt, and people were not spending much in terms of home improvements. It wasn’t the best time to be starting an interior design business, but I still managed to get some jobs. There has been tremendous growth over the last 5 years. Folks are staying in their current homes and investing in remodeling and updating them. This has been great for business!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kelly Brasch Interiors – what should we know?
My business specialty is in residential interior design. Specifically, I’m passionate about finding ways to make peoples’ homes function better for their lifestyle while making them beautiful, too. Listening to the client’s wants, needs, and goals are key to a successful project. Gaining a good understanding of their style is also a top priority. In the end, the space must function well for the people who live there and reflect the clients’ personal style.
Reimagining space is one of my favorite things to do. Designing plans that involve knocking down walls to develop an open concept and seeing the final result is so rewarding. I also particularly enjoy designing basements. It’s usually a big blank canvas to work with allowing for so much creativity. Regardless of what part in the house, being brought in at the very start of a project and working it until the last detail is complete is when my skills are best utilized. That’s when the biggest impact can be made.
Smaller projects and in home consultations are a part of my business, as well. Sometimes I work with clients who only need help with decorating. This may involve selecting properly scaled furniture, cabinetry, countertops, backsplashes, fabrics, window coverings, lighting, accessories, and paint colors to name a few.
I have had clients tell me that hiring me actually saves them money because they are able to avoid costly mistakes! Working with me gives clients the peace of mind that they are going down the right path, and the end result will be better than they could have imagined. It’s hard to put a price on that.
What sets Kelly Brasch Interiors apart from others are the core values of the company. When working with me, clients can rest assured they can expect top notch service from a designer who values kindness, honesty, integrity, collaboration, and respect. I want nothing more than to have happy clients!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Although being creative and having strong communication and listening skills are right up there, I would have to say that having strong management skills is the most important characteristic to my success. More specifically, I am referring to project management, time management, and business management.
Project management skills are an essential part of my success. Oftentimes, I am working on 5 to 7 projects at one time and each job is unique. There are many moving parts to each project and multiple people involved. Because of this, strong project management and organizational skills are a must.
Time management is another spoke in the wheel of management. Being able to prioritize during busy periods and looking for ways to better my business during slower periods is essential. As any entrepreneur would tell you, working on your own requires a great amount of self-discipline. Without the ability to motivate myself, stay on track, and manage my time wisely, I wouldn’t stand a chance in this competitive environment.
Managing the business as a whole is another aspect of management. I alone am responsible for the strategy, marketing, accounting, customer service, and all of the other aspects of the business. As a small business owner, I wear many different hats.
I truly believe my management skills are one of the most important factors that have led to the success of Kelly Brasch Interiors. Having the business education and work experience has been very helpful in terms of project management, time management, and overall business management. My passion truly lies in the creative aspects of interior design, but the management side of the business is just as important.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kellybraschinteriors.com
- Phone: 847-462-9942
- Email: kellybraschinteriors@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KellyBraschInteriors
- Other: www.houzz.com/pro/kelly-brasch-interiors
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