We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alicia Garey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alicia below.

Alicia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

When the dust has finally settled at the end of a project, which is often 3-6 months or a year or longer, I bring flowers, usually orchids, for my happy clients to enjoy, and a note of congrats for getting to the finish line. I know clients go through a lot during a renovation and I want them to know how much I appreciate them, and who doesn’t love receiving flowers! The orchids will often show up in project photos. I have also sent clients flowers to thank them for referrals, which I’m always so grateful for. And rather than an email to say thank you, I call my clients to thank them personally. A voice to voice call, sometimes years after I’ve worked with a client, is much appreciated particularly in the era of texting. At holiday time, I love to send gifts to my recent clients, such as coasters, fancy soap, or tea, with a holiday card.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an interior designer and established AG Designs in 2008. From a young age I loved to experiment with rearranging things and growing up in New York I was inspired by the colors of the changing seasons. This drove me to explore painting walls and furniture and led to an interest in how interiors affect our lives. In my mid 20’s I had submitted one of my painted furniture pieces (a sewing table minus the sewing machine) to a magazine and it was accepted and published. I was so delighted when I received $25 bucks for the contribution to the magazine. When my children were very young I attended the rigorous Interior Design Architectural program at UCLA and thoroughly enjoyed it. Prior to establishing AG Designs I had worked at an architectural firm and later with an interior designer. I had also interned at an interior design firm and these experiences taught me so much about the industry. My previous work at a talent agency in the literary department and in television production were pretty high stress environments but many of my organizational skills were honed during that time and would later prove to be useful for running my own business. I developed a reliable project management system that is the same for every project from start to finish but I’m always evaluating how it can improve to navigate the many moving parts of a project.

In the early years of AG Designs I did some volunteer work. One project was the new Learning Center at the Downtown Women’s Center’s renovation to an historic building in Downtown Los Angeles, empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless, through housing and education. Another project was the renovation of a public school library in Santa Monica. And I worked with a local temple for material selections in the social hall and later a renovation to the exterior. A fun residential project I did in the early days was interior colors and some rearranging for a graphic designer, in exchange for business cards. The idea for the cards was really fun, which looked like a strip from a paint fan.

Throughout the years as my business has grown, I’ve enjoyed collaborating with clients and contractors as we work as a team. I consider myself an advocate for the client and I think they appreciate this as we navigate the objectives and final outcomes. I am there every step of the way, from renderings for total gut remodels, reupholstery & new furnishings, window treatments, lighting, wall colors and wallcoverings, flooring, bathrooms, kitchens, art and accessories. It’s such a thrill to help clients fulfill their dreams and contribute to their well being for years to come.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In 2012, I was about halfway through a large office project when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Toward the end of the project, I needed to take time off to heal after a major surgery. Thankfully, a project manager was able to complete the remaining tasks and the project turned out great. I held off on any new clients for a period of time and just focused on healing. It was a long journey and about a year or so later, I wanted to gently get back into the swing of things. I began writing interior design articles for on line content and in the end wound up publishing and getting paid for 50 articles. This kept my mind in the game while my body healed.

Around this time, the wonderful designer Barbara Barry was having a book signing for her book Around Beauty, and I said to myself, I need to go to this event and meet one of my favorite designers. I did go and even had a chance to tell Ms. Barry how meaningful it was at that time in my life to meet her in person. Going out to that book signing put a spring in my step, but I had to push myself to get there. I’m so glad I did. That day marked a fresh start and I felt confident I could get back into what I loved doing.

After two years of emotional and physical difficulty, (and having a book published about my breast cancer experience titled What a Blip: A Breast Cancer Journal of Survival and Finding the Wisdom, published with Collective Ink, formerly John Hunt Publishing in 2014 ) I began working with clients again, thanks mainly to client referrals. Each new project gave me so much joy. Pushing through those challenging times, even if things felt imperfect, kept my momentum going and my spirits up. It’s now almost eleven years later and I’m happy to say I’ve been very busy and feeling great. The quote from my book blurb is “It isn’t what happens to you, it’s what you do when it happens”.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

For many years I’ve been following Terri Taylor of the Interior Design Business Academy. Her free CEU’s and her workshops are phenomenal. Her advice on best business practices tailored to the interior design industry has been enlightening and validating. I highly recommend her to anyone considering the field of interior design or for an established designer who needs or wants clarity for running their business.

Another great resource for interior designers is the database program by Fohlio. It keeps all project information in order and so much more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AGDesigns.biz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciagareydesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaGDesigns/

Image Credits
Photos by AG Designs