We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Foster a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
Let me take you on a little trip down memory lane to a time when I thought hiring a business coach would be my golden ticket to success. Picture this: I’m fresh off my transition from interior designer to eDesign mentor, and I’m ready to conquer the world. I stumbled upon this coach online, and her content was so shiny and inspiring that I thought, “This is it! This is the secret sauce!” So, I took the plunge and dropped $300-400 for a 90-minute coaching call. At the time, it felt like I was investing in a small island getaway—only to find out it was more like a staycation in my own living room.
Fast forward to the day of the call. I log in, all excited, ready to soak up wisdom like a sponge. But what do I get? My coach shows up as prepared as a cat at a dog show—completely clueless. She hadn’t even glanced at my detailed questionnaire, which I had poured my heart and soul into like it was my diary. Instead of sage advice, I got vague suggestions that felt more like fortune cookie wisdom. “Just charge X amount!” she says casually. Um, excuse me? Did you even read about my niche? It was like asking a fish how to climb a tree—totally off-base!
I sat there, feeling like I’d just walked into a blind date where my date hadn’t even bothered to check my profile. Total waste of time and money! As we fumbled through the call, I realized that this wasn’t just disappointing; it was downright comical. It became clear that this experience was going to turn into one of those “you’ll laugh about it later” stories.
But here’s the twist: that train wreck of an experience became my guiding light. It taught me exactly what NOT to do as a mentor. I vowed to never let my clients feel like they just walked into an awkward social situation with no idea who they were meeting. Now, when you work with me, expect thorough prep and personalized strategies that actually make sense—like knowing your favorite ice cream flavor before planning your birthday party!
Let’s get real: investing in yourself isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a power move! You’re the CEO of your biz, and smart CEOs know when to call in reinforcements. Think of it like assembling your own superhero team—every great hero needs sidekicks! I absolutely love working with clients who are ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the work. If you’ve got passion but need clarity, I’m your go-to gal.
And let’s be honest: building your dream biz takes hard work—it doesn’t just magically appear like confetti at a party (though wouldn’t that be nice?). It takes dedication and strategy, not just wishing on shooting stars or waiting for the universe to drop opportunities in your lap. With my coaching, you’ll get constant support and expert guidance every step of the way.
I thrive on brainstorming sessions that feel more like fun chats over coffee than formal meetings. We’ll bounce ideas back and forth like we’re playing ping pong—except instead of balls flying everywhere, we’ll be hatching brilliant plans for your brand! You’ll feel like I’m right in your back pocket, cheering you on as you tackle challenges and celebrate wins.
So, if you’re ready to turn your design dreams into reality and create spaces that scream YOU (without the screaming), let’s connect! Together, we’ll whip up some magic—no wand-waving required, just good vibes and hard work! Trust me; this journey is going to be one for the books—and who knows? Maybe someday we’ll look back on it all and laugh about how far we’ve come!
Amanda, 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?
For those who haven’t met me yet, I’m Amandork, an Interior Design Brand Strategist + Coach at Foster Decor Consulting. I’m proud to say I’ve become a one-stop shop for my peers in the interior design world, and my journey here has been as colorful and unique as the spaces I love to create.
My Journey
I started my career as an interior designer with a passion for bold, edgy spaces that truly reflect personality. My own home is a testament to this – a wild tour of creativity that pushes design boundaries. But my path to becoming a mentor and coach for my peers began in a rather unexpected way.
It all started with me hosting design challenges just for fun. I’d put up prizes out of my own pocket, and before I knew it, these challenges became a hit in our community. Being a bit of a social butterfly, I found myself at the center of a growing network of designers. My peers often told me they loved my enthusiasm and approachability. They’d come to me with questions, picking my brain on all sorts of topics, and I was always happy to share my knowledge and experience.
As I continued to interact with my fellow designers, I noticed a gap in our industry. Many talented designers were struggling with the digital aspects of their businesses, unable to showcase their unique styles online effectively. This realization, combined with the positive feedback I was getting from my peers, led me to pivot my focus.
I decided to combine my interior design expertise with my skills in graphic and web design, along with a keen marketing perspective, to become a brand strategist and coach for fellow interior designers. It’s been an exciting journey of growth and learning, allowing me to help others while continually expanding my own skill set.
What I Offer
My services are designed to empower interior designers at all stages of their careers:
eDesign BootCamp: This comprehensive course helps new designers navigate the world of online interior design. We cover everything from setting up your business to managing client projects digitally.
1:1 Mentoring: Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro looking to level up, I offer personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and goals.
VIP Intensive Sessions: These focused, high-impact sessions are perfect for tackling specific business challenges or brainstorming new ideas.
Signature Branding Packages: I help designers create a brand identity that truly reflects their unique style and personality, setting them apart in a crowded market.
Custom Website Makeovers: Your website is often a client’s first impression of you. I ensure it’s a great one by creating beautiful, functional sites that showcase your work effectively.
Social Media Solutions: From creating custom posts to planning a full month of content, I help designers build a strong, engaging social media presence.
As a one-stop shop for my peers, I’m able to address virtually every aspect of building and growing a successful interior design business in the digital age.
What Sets Me Apart
What makes me unique is my holistic approach to design and business. I’m not just about creating beautiful spaces or websites – I’m about helping designers build authentic, successful businesses that align with their personal style and values.
I bring a playful, creative approach to everything I do. I’m known in the industry for thinking outside the box and encouraging others to do the same. My background in interior design, graphic design, and web design, combined with my marketing know-how, allows me to offer comprehensive solutions that address all aspects of a designer’s brand and online presence.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I take immense pride in seeing my clients succeed. There’s nothing quite like watching a designer find their confidence, showcase their unique style, and build a thriving business that truly reflects who they are. I’m proud to have built a community of bold, authentic designers who aren’t afraid to stand out and be themselves.
What I Want You to Know
If you’re an interior designer looking to elevate your brand and online presence, here’s what I want you to know:
Authenticity is your superpower. Your unique perspective and style are what will set you apart in this industry.
Success in the digital world is achievable, no matter where you’re starting from. With the right strategies and support, you can build a thriving online presence.
Your brand is more than just a logo or a color scheme – it’s the entire experience you create for your clients, from your website to your social media to your client interactions.
It’s okay to be bold, to be different, to push boundaries. In fact, I encourage it!
Building a successful design business doesn’t mean you have to compromise your creativity or your values. You can create a business that aligns with who you are and what you love.
I’m here to help you navigate the digital landscape, showcase your unique talents, and build a business that you love. Together, we can bring more creativity, authenticity, and personality to the design world. After all, why not get paid to be authentically you?
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn in my interior design career was the idea that I needed to cater to everyone and be a design chameleon. For years, I believed that flexibility was key to success, that I should adapt to any client’s style or needs. This mindset led me down a path of burnout and undervaluing my expertise.
After completing over 300 eDesign projects with platforms like Havenly and Decorist over five years, I hit a breaking point. I was taking on any client who came my way, desperately trying to make ends meet. My brand lacked focus, and I found myself constantly researching styles that didn’t resonate with me personally.
The turning point came when I saw other designers who had niched down and were thriving. I delved into marketing research and discovered the power of specialization. It was time to work exclusively with dream clients who shared my passion for contemporary and modern design.
Niching down meant saying goodbye to farmhouse styles, beige color schemes, and projects involving kids or pets – areas where I lacked personal experience and passion. Instead, I focused on what truly sparked joy for me.
This shift allowed me to become a go-to expert in my field, charge premium rates, and attract clients who truly valued my work. I no longer had to stay one step ahead, researching unfamiliar styles or dealing with curveballs.
I now teach my clients the importance of niching down, helping them overcome the scarcity mindset that often holds them back. It’s not about closing doors, but about opening the right ones – saying goodbye to cheap clients who don’t value your expertise, and hello to dream projects that build a cohesive, themed portfolio.
Ultimately, this lesson taught me that trying to serve everyone means serving no one effectively. By focusing on what I love and excel at, I’ve created a more fulfilling and profitable business, attracting clients who appreciate my unique vision and are willing to invest in it.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Alright, let’s take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? Picture this: me, a globe-trotting eDesigner, turning design dilemmas into delights for big names like Decorist and Havenly. Life was pretty sweet. I’d racked up over 300 projects and a treasure trove of experience.
Suddenly, my thriving business was doing the pandemic shuffle. But hey, I’d been working remotely before it was cool, so I had a few tricks up my sleeve.
Then came the eDesign wage strike – because apparently, our pay was lower than the likelihood of me ever recommending an all-beige room. Just as I was considering a career change to professional pillow fluffer, Havenly not wanting to lose their VIP popular waitlisted eDesigner (that’s me!) offered me my dream gig running their San Francisco pop-up. Hello, hybrid designer life!
It was the perfect blend of in-person charm and digital dazzle – quick consultations, mini mood boards, and a taste of the high life in an Airbnb during the week all in the designer haven SF design district. But alas, COVID had other plans and shut down the world and all the pop-ups.
So, what’s a design-loving gal to do? Pivot, of course! I focused on Foster Decor, my solo venture, serving clients who appreciated my “Is that too wild? No such thing!” approach.
I spread my social media wings, and suddenly my digital presence was the talk of the town. My DMs were buzzing with questions about my website, rendering software, and social media strategies. Before I knew it, people were offering to pay me for Zoom chats. Getting paid to talk about design? Sign me up!
I’d found my calling: helping my peers, having fun, and being social in my industry. It was like being the friendly neighbor at the design block party, sharing tips and tricks over a virtual cup of coffee.
I dove headfirst into the digital pool, making waves on social media and catching the eye of my peers. Suddenly, my DMs were buzzing with questions about my website wizardry, rendering magic, and social media sorcery. As an extrovert, I was in my element – the life of the virtual party!
When folks started offering to pay for my pearls of wisdom, I realized I’d stumbled upon my calling. I could help my peers, have a blast, and get paid to be social in my industry. It was like hitting the trifecta in the design lottery!
My unique cocktail of skills – interior design, graphic design, web design, and marketing know-how – made me a one-stop shop for my peers. I went from charging $250 for a branding package to a cool $1,000. Turns out, being a multi-talented, passionate, detail-oriented designer is worth its weight in gold-plated drawer pulls!
I started coaching my clients on the art of self-worth, helping them find dream clients who value both their time and talent. No more racing to the bottom or working for peanuts – we’re talking caviar dreams here, people!
The biggest game-changer? Learning to say “thanks, but no thanks” to clients who didn’t appreciate the Amandork magic. I focused on attracting dream clients who got my vibe and were ready to invest in it.
Today, my side hustle has become my full-time passion. I’m not just designing spaces anymore; I’m designing careers and helping my peers succeed in the wild world of digital interior design. It’s been quite the journey, with more twists and turns than a spiral staircase, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After all, in this colorful world of design, why blend in when you were born to stand out? Here’s to ditching the vanilla and embracing your unique flavor!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fosterdecorconsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterdecorconsulting/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fosterdecorconsulting
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fosterdecor/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fosterdecorconsulting/videos
- Other: Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/FosterDecorEdesignConsulting/Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4RR2T4Su3jqcu765djwIgz?si=11af09be86024bfd
Image Credits
Eucario Calderon | Eucarios Visuals | eucariosvisuals.com