We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dana Clemons. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dana below.
Alright, Dana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
It all started when we were looking for a realtor to sell our first home. We ended up contacting one based off her website and made an appointment. When she came to our house, there was an instant connection. She was very interested in my work and after discussing the sale of our home, she asked if I would be able to help her with her own home. I was not expecting this at all but of course I said yes. I ended up redesigning her primary bathroom and then shortly after, I helped her with building her new home. It was because of this one meeting that I started to get referred to many of her clients who became clients of my own.
Dana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Growing up in a small town with lots of historic architecture, I was fascinated with both the interior and exterior of residential homes. It wasn’t until college that I really understood what I wanted to focus on. I met one of my professors who happened to be a local architect and during those four years I was at school, he taught me so much about interior architecture. I was hooked and didn’t want to do anything but that. My first design job out of school was with a high-end kitchen and bath design firm. I learned so much from my first job, a lot that I still use today. In the years that followed, I worked with an architectural firm in their residential department and eventually went out on my own. My focus and passion are on the design details that really impact the lives of the people who live in the house. To me it’s about the flow of the floor plan, the function of each space and the finishes that create character and give it depth. I help clients to maximize the potential of each space whether it be the kitchen, the primary suite or a home office.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
The one thing that I learned early on was to really get to know my clients, listen to their needs and wants and make sure that whatever I was designing for them, reflected what I had learned about them. Also, communication and honesty are key. You have to keep your clients up to date on everything, even if it’s an uncomfortable situation like an order was delayed or damaged. Lastly, don’t forget to laugh and have some fun! It helps everyone to feel more at ease and less stressed because designing a home whether it is a full remodel or new construction will always have some added stress.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I don’t believe there is one aspect that tops all the rest. I honestly feel there are many that are truly rewarding and at different stages of each project. Creating a trusting relationship with my clients has always been incredibly rewarding but seeing their project start to come alive after months and months of working on it as well as seeing the joy on their face, that is incredibly fulfilling. Obviously being able to take photos of a completed project and sharing them with the world is like the final stage of gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.clemonsdesignco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clemonsdesignco/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/clemonsdesignco/
Image Credits
Ali Harper Photography, Mary Cravens Photography