Today we’d like to introduce you to Sondra Ganz

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

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, where most of my childhood was spent exploring the seaside and letting my imagination run wild. My parents, an engineer and photography teacher, instilled in me a love for both creativity and science. After earning my BFA from Parsons School of Design in New York City, I honed my skills working alongside top industrial and interior designers. A chance encounter during the recession led me into the world of Hospitality Design, where I continued on to lead landmark projects around the world at award-wining architecture firms. In 2019 I created a studio where I can focus on my true love; designing boutique experiences that exceed expectations.

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 a conscientious decision to not go off on my own until I had worked at both small and large firms to learn as much about the business as I could through others first. I certainly have Gensler to thank as their culture is very transparent when it comes to the rigor and financials of running an office. After leaving that firm, I felt like I could tackle almost anything. It hasn’t always been smooth—I would say the biggest adjustment is the rollercoaster of income. Sometimes it’s busy, and some time things just slow down a bit, but after a few years you learn how to save for the rough spots and appreciate the down time more and more. It takes a lot of self-discipline and focus. When you’re first starting out, you need to wear a lot of hats. Design is the easy part but setting up all the logistical, financial and legal aspects behind the scenes takes a lot of patience. I had to also be prepared to take a significant pay cut at first as almost everything I earned I put back into my business the first couple of years. My husband and I have taken turns over the years in terms of who had the stable income vs. who was doing the entrepreneurial thing. It’s difficult to raise a family and have both parents trying to launch a business at the same time. And then there’s the whole topic of growing and hiring, which Is a category of its own…

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

Studio Ganz is a San Francisco-based full-service interior design firm, specializing in ground-up construction, complete renovations, and comprehensive furnishings. Full service means that we are usually involved on projects from the foundation down to the toothbrush so-to-speak. There is rarely a limit to the types of environments we will design and where we will travel, if the client personality, project goals and budget feels right.

I am proud that most of our clients end up being full-service, even if it didn’t start that way in the beginning. It takes a lot of experience and skill to develop that level of trust, so I would say that the level of trust and standard for excellence that we’ve set on our projects is the hallmark of our brand.

There are a lot of interior designers out there these days, so setting ourselves apart from the rest is important. When it comes to style, a lot of designers repeat the same design style over and over. Committing to one genre would be too boring for us. I’m known for having a natural ability to blend styles, creating designs with personalities as unique as my clients vs. a one-size fits all approach. Since I’ve worked on projects all over the world, I’ve learned over the years how to create designs that feel truly authentic within the context of the location, building architecture, and of course to the client/ clientele. Our modern and contemporary sensibility always celebrates the past with an eye for the future.

There are also a lot of bloggers/marketers- turned interior designers out there. Because I do not come from that background, my twenty years of experience within design and construction always takes precedent. I’m not focused on what’s trendy or what will gain the most followers on Instagram. Instead, I bring to every project an innate dedication to my craft and passion for design. I’m motivated by the belief that the best designs come from collaboration. Our skilled teams work closely with clients, contractors and architects to create homes and experiences that are personal, functional, and beautiful. My background in client relationships has allowed me to focus on a service-driven approach to all our projects.

While the finished product is important, we recognize the importance of ironing out kinks along the way. Construction isn’t fun and complicated projects can be stressful. It’s our job to handle the complexities, so our clients can revel in the excitement of the design process. This is where we’ve been able to excel by communicating effectively across a wide variety of project types and environments.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

Empathy and the ability to problem solve (quickly) is paramount to being a successful interior designer. Whenever we create a completely custom design, it’s inevitable that there will be human errors along the way. Your ability to recognize mistakes and then take quick and actionable steps toward solutions is what people will remember you for vs. that time you picked out a cool sofa. In many cases, our projects involve shutting down someone’s personal home or business for 6 months- years, so having the personal experience and empathy to make them feel as comfortable and confident along the way takes a lot of patience and understanding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studioganz.design
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_ganz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioganz

Image Credits

1) Spanish Eclectic Kitchen- John Merkl
2) Happy Valley Home- Paul Dyer Photography
3) Butler’s Panty- Paul Dyer Photography
4) Glamorous Bathroom- Michele Lee Willson Photo
5) Contemporary Bedroom- Katie Newburn
6) Oasis Superyacht- R. Brad Knipstein
7) & 8) Sondra Ganz Portraits- Laura Reoch, September Days Photography