Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Vroom

Hi Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I grew up in the Midwest and have lived in Minneapolis, Miami and for the past (almost) 20 years — Seattle. After working 15+ years in the advertising industry, I went back to school in order to make a career change to interior design. I wasn’t fulfilled in my job, and I knew there was something else out there for me. After completing my MFA in Interior Architecture & Design, I started The Residency Bureau where I focus primarily on residential interiors.

As someone who cut their teeth in advertising, I also know the importance of a good story. I believe listening to my client’s stories provides the best blueprint for successful interior design projects. There is nothing more personal than your home and how it reflects your personality and tells the story of you.

Alright, 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?

I made this change to interior design midway through my career, and I knew I didn’t want to work as a junior designer for someone else given all the skills I could already bring to the table from my previous work experience. I had to learn the industry as I was starting my own company — some through trial and error. And through asking questions and not being afraid of being vulnerable. I found a great support network which really helped move me along in a new career. I’m still tight with that group and as small business owners, we all lean on each other at various times.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

As a small business owner, I wear every single hat for my company — creative, accountant, tech support, administrative, social media manager, you name it. For some creatives, this can be a challenge to manage on your own depending on how you’re wired. Based on my years in advertising, I have had a lot of experience managing clients and those relationships, so running the business has come easily to me. I feel lucky to be able to use my right and left brain with everything I do at The Residency Bureau.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

Have Confidence

Trust Your Gut

You get more with sugar than with salt.

Whether I was early in my career or further on, I always had the confidence I could do it — and if I didn’t know how — I’d figure it out. That partially stems from growing up in a home where my parents firmly planted the belief that I could do anything I set my mind to. When I was faced with a situation where I was unsure, I’d stay curious, ask questions, and figure it out. Or make mistakes and learn not to do that again. I think that can-do attitude and confidence has proven to be invaluable in my career — especially as I started my own business.

Trusting your gut might seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve learned the hard way what happens when I don’t. To me this goes beyond common sense. No matter the situation — whether you’re getting a read on a potential client or making a design decision — that feeling or sense you get about the situation is usually right. As I’ve gotten older and have had more years of experience, I know to trust that and haven’t been let down.

We all know how it feels to be around people who feel seen and respected. You show up and do a better job because of it. Even though I work by myself, I have to rely on so many people to be successful at my job. If you’re kind and treat people with respect, you’ll get more out of them. A little bit of sugar can go a long way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theresidencybureau.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresidencybureau

Image Credits

Miranda Estes
Kara Mercer