Designers, Let Me Upgrade You...

Beyonce Shot from 'Upgrade U' Video

I'm getting giddy. The past few weeks have been insane. From Design Week in NYC to the amazing feedback from the design community via press. Not to mention approval nods from some of my favorite celebrity designers. VSM is getting notice. It's surreal to go to events now and get recognize, but the true meaning for me is that I am on the right path. For those of you who understand what it's like to start a business from the ground up with no guarantees, this is like your right of passage.

Dare to be Different

Trust me when I say this was never easy. I'm sure I am preaching to the choir here, but when I started VSM over a year ago I just wanted to provide simple solutions to interior designers. Never having the mindset of being a Business Consultant or Coach, (Not my style) I just reflected on my 20 years of management experience to do things better and change with the times. I understand the struggle designers go through when starting or streamlining their business. So it was a no-brainer for me to become a Designer's phoenix and create a business that will just "Upgrade You".

Creating my own Jean Grey Phoenix Club

 I've always had a passion for interior designers. Yup, I said designers. Don't get me wrong, I adore the work, but there is nothing that compares to the style, business sense and influence they have on our industry and on me. That story is left for another blog post, but as I know and have the privilege of working them with directly, they are just like a Phoenix. They can completely burn the old ways of doing things that have worked so well in the past and rise up from the ashes with a new sense of flair. That is the premise of what VSM has to offer designers. It's about upgrading and transforming with the industry and never being left behind.

Best Project Management and Accounting Software for Interior Designers

It may surprise people that I actually run my business the same way interior designers do or at least the way I would like them to. I have to keep it simple and practical. First stop is always the brains of any company's operation and that is software. Now I've ran a few design firms in my day on a few different software: Excel, Quickbooks, Studio Webware and now Design Manager. All completely viable options, but DM fit me and my growing clientele needs the best. Mainly because of the easy transition of what I constantly train my designers to reposition their business to. Going Cloud.

Interior Designers Keep Your Head in the Clouds

It's not enough to run your biz on software that can handle the mundane day to day operations, but one that can actually collaborate with other applications you already use. Think about how you shop for your clients? You take photos mostly with your camera phone, so how easy would it be to just upload those photos to a proposal and send it the same minute you took the shot? Let's take it further. How about taking your entire business with you wherever you go on any one of your mobile devices? I mean having all your client files, company documents, project photos and company calendar all in the palm of your hand. It's all about going cloud now and that is as simple as learning how to do it with the right software like Design Manager which we highly recommend.

High Style Interior Designers, Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield

Now let's take it up a notch. I've always held certain interior designers as true celebrities. I am the Goupie to their Rock Star. These are my Business Consultants and Coaches. I go straight to the source and translate their business style for you. It's because their style fits Viteri Style so well. They are selective with the projects they take on as I am selective with the clients I take on. They are smart about building the team they work with as I am about training the team my designers work with. They bring a uniqueness that I relate to and I strive to help designers find theirs. In the end they constantly raise the bar and I am the one to make sure designers can meet those standards.

My motto.

 I have to remind myself of this everyday. Every time I look into new ventures, partnerships or ways to help my design clients run their business, I repeat this phrase to myself. It so easy to fall into the complexities of things, but that is why I am loving my job now. It's about keeping it simple and providing those practical solutions that make it easy to "Upgrade You".  So if you choose to work with me, a business coach or attempt to run things on your own, keep the above phrase in mind. Everyone loves a kiss. ;()

Share your tips with us on how your KISS methods for running a smoother design business works for you. These things should never be kept a secret.

XOXO

Barbara V.

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