We were lucky to catch up with David Sanders recently and have shared our conversation below.

David , appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

Time management is a critical skill for business owners to master. Effective time management helps to increase productivity, reduce stress, and achieve business goals efficiently.

I would like to share with you a story that happened to me about 15 years ago, while still building my brand and business in Southern California.

My assistant and I were going to meet a new client and his wife and take a tour of their new home that they were in the process of purchasing. The morning had already gotten away from me and we were very busy in the office answering emails, phone calls, and vendor related issues on other projects. I immediately looked up to see what time it was and noticed I was already 30 minutes late to this client meeting. Fortunately, the job site was only 15 minutes away from my office.

We arrived at the job site for the meeting 45 minutes late, and we had already notified the client of our tardiness. Upon arrival to the meeting and exiting my car, our new client stopped me, took me aside and said, “You have no respect for our time.”

It was in that moment that I realized he was exactly right. I did not pay attention to my time management that morning. And ever since then, I have not only been on time for all meetings, I have made myself early because of the impact that moment had on my life. From this moment forward, in my career and in my personal life, I have made myself be consistently aware of other people’s time.

In conclusion, my story serves as a reminder of the importance of effective time management, not only in achieving business goals but also in building and maintaining relationships with clients and colleagues. By being respectful of other people’s time and prioritizing your own, we have increased productivity, reduced stress, and achieved success in business.

David , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My working career began in New York City in 1995, while I was studying for the graduate certification program in Culinary Arts at Peter Kump’s School of Culinary Arts on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. I was the assist Corporate Chef at Flavors Catering and Carry Out in the heart of Chelsea. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to hone and sharpen my culinary skills at such a world renown restaurant of that time period. This experience shaped me with consistency, discipline and a skill set I still use to this day.

Upon leaving NYC in the fall of 1996, I decided to move to Los Angeles, with one of my dearest friends from college and see if I could make a go of it in the culinary world, and was successful with landing a job at LA Spice. After my time with them I was offered an opportunity to open and manage the Luxury Linen line of Peacock Alley out of Dallas, Texas. This experience was the bridge through which I was able to open David Brian Sanders Interior Design, Inc. in 1998.

My company was born out of the idea that we could do more than provide luxury linens to the community at large and beyond. Having the foundation in textile design was a beautiful bridge to beginning a career in interior design and residential development. With a life-long interest in interior design and architecture, I began taking on private interior design clients and within a few short months I realized I had found my true calling. It has been the dream we all dream of, actualizing and bringing your hopes, goals and expectations to life!! I am so blessed and humbled by the opportunities that we get to create for others, and in turn we are creating opportunities and magic for ourselves.

I specialize in classic modernism, peppered with vintage finds and coupled with the custom design pieces from his own collections, as well as the showrooms he’s built relationships with over the last 25 years.

I am extremely proud of the fact that most of our clients are repeat clients. Additionally, we are extremely proud of the fact that we have created an avenue to the television community in the home space, and we are very excited for a forthcoming project that marries mental wellness, art, architecture, food, and fashion.

I currently reside in Los Angeles and Atlanta, GA and have expanded the company with an office in Atlanta. My work has been published in AD Middle East, Renovation Style, Traditional Home, Elle Decor, The New York Daily News, The Washington Post, Angeleno Magazine and The Los Angeles Times. I have also had the opportunity to appear on several national television shows including Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker as the resident interior designer, HGTV’S House Hunters Renovation, Sundance’s The Lazy Environmentalist, and a special Home Makeover edition of Fox’s America’s Most Wanted. Additionally, I was a series regular as Host and Judge on FYI’s House Vs. House.

My candle line DAVID BRIAN SANDERS PRIVATE COLLECTION is available at specialty retailers nationwide, and on my website, davidbriansanders.com.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

This story illustrates the power of resilience in the face of adversity. Even when faced with setbacks and challenges, it’s possible to overcome them through hard work, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude.

The story I am about to tell you happened 20 years ago. It was 2003, my father had just died after a two year battle with Leukemia. My business was suffering because of my denial about my father’s illness, my denial about who my authentic self was, and my disregard for the life that I had at that time.

I had been traveling back and forth between Los Angeles and Atlanta for two years visiting my father in the hospital and at home. We would sit for hours and he would advise me and lead me by his example in life. I would ask questions about how to take the next best steps for my business and personal life and he always said to me, “If anyone can do this, you can.”

In the fall of 2003, my paternal grandmother suddenly died of a stroke. It was the second death in our family in 6 months. In the winter of 2003, I was forced to file for bankruptcy, because I could no longer meet the demands of the fiscal responsibilities of my business. This experience had a huge impact on my mental fortitude, my physical well-being, and my alignment with who I was as a business professional.

Despite all of these challenges, within an eight month period of life, I listened to what my father told me when he said, “If anyone can do it, you can.” I turned my business around far exceeding sales and profit that I had only dreamt about. I created teams of expertise that helped me grow and expand my business, our clientele, and our vendor collaborative partners.

I say this to every single reader of this story, if I can do this, so can you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For many artists and creatives, the most rewarding aspect of their work is the ability to express themselves and share their unique perspective with the world. Through my art, I am able to communicate my ideas, my emotions, my expertise and my experiences in a way that connects with my client and creates a shared human experience.

I also find fulfillment in the creative journey itself. The act of creating can be therapeutic and meditative, providing a sense of purpose and meaning to life. The ability to bring something new into the world, is a powerful motivator and does provide a great sense of accomplishment.

I find joy in the impact that my work has on others. Whether it’s through inspiring others, sparking conversations, or bringing a smile to anyone’s face, the ability to positively impact others and their families through my art is incredibly rewarding.

The most rewarding aspect of my artistry is the ability to create environments for families and loved ones to live a lifetime of happiness, joy and peace in their homes.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://davidbriansanders.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbriansanders/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dbsinteriors?lang=en

Image Credits
Joe Schmeltzer Zeke Ruelas