Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Foster.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Amanda Foster’s Journey: From CAD Monkey to eDesign Guru
Hello! I’m Amanda Foster, also known as Amandork, the heart and soul behind Foster Decor Consulting. I’m here to share my exhilarating journey from a traditional job to becoming a beacon for creativity in the interior design community.
<b>The Spark of Change</b>
Graduating top of my class from Sacramento State University with a BA in Interior Architecture, a minor in Graphic Design, and an AA in Fine Arts, I was all set for success. However, my initial roles in the government sector left me craving more creativity and less monotony. This led me to freelance, leveraging skills I honed since high school, from CD cover art to website apps.
<b>Embracing the eDesign Revolution</b>
A pivotal moment came when my fiancé’s career in video game commentary took us around the world. During this time, I discovered eDesign through a LinkedIn post. It was 2014, and eDesign was just blossoming. I quickly adapted, working remotely and rising through the ranks at Havenly, where I transformed from a newbie to a sought-after pro. My journey included managing a pop-up showroom in San Francisco, blending in-person consultations with virtual projects.
<b>Building Community and Expertise</b>
When COVID-19 struck, shutting down physical spaces, eDesign soared. I seized this opportunity to deepen my engagement online, founding the eDesign Sisters group. We grew from a small circle to a thriving community, sharing knowledge and inspiring creativity through themed challenges. This visibility led to numerous inquiries about my techniques and styles, transitioning me naturally into consulting.
<b>Mission: Empower and Inspire</b>
Today, I’m driven by a mission to empower my peers. I’m developing eDesign Decor packages and mentoring groups to help others find their unique voice and style. My journey has taught me to transform challenges into opportunities, inspiring others to embrace their authenticity and thrive in their careers.
<b>Looking Ahead</b>
With every challenge I’ve overcome, I’m more excited to take my business to new heights, helping others enhance their online presence and succeed in the vibrant world of interior design. Stay tuned for more epic developments at Foster Decor Consulting!
So, that’s my story! From feeling unfulfilled in a cubicle to leading a vibrant community of creative professionals, I’ve turned my passion into a thriving career. I can’t wait to see what the future holds!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
<b>Navigating the Bumpy Road: My Journey Through Challenges to Triumph</b> Has it been a smooth road? Far from it! But let me tell you, every pothole, detour, and roadblock has led me to some pretty amazing places. Let’s dive into the rollercoaster ride that’s been my journey.
<b>The Storm Before the Calm</b>
Imagine being on the receiving end of relentless cyberbullying and harassment, with someone impersonating you, signing you up for everything from personal ads to plastic surgery consultations. That was my reality. This person didn’t just stop at online trolling; they aimed to sabotage my life and business, using intimate details about me to fuel their attacks. It was like being stuck in a never-ending nightmare, especially during the isolation of Covid. The emotional toll was immense, leading to sleepless nights, emotional eating, and a sense of powerlessness that nearly broke me.
<b>Rallying the Troops</b>
Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. My “eDesign sisters” stood by me, and together, we unmasked my tormentor. With a private investigator’s help, I fought back, securing a 3-year restraining order against the bully. It was a hard-fought victory, but it taught me resilience in the face of adversity.
<b>Choosing Better Over Bitter</b>
The harassment could have left me bitter, but I chose to rise above it. I relocated for peace of mind and sought professional help to navigate the emotional turmoil. This period, as dark as it was, revealed my inner strength and resilience. My background as a pro-athlete kicked in, refusing to let me quit. I channeled my energy into being proactive, productive, and organized—qualities that weren’t my strongest suit before.
<b>A Business Reborn</b>
The ordeal forced me to rethink my approach to business. Being an online service provider became even more challenging, but I was determined not to let it stop me. I focused on planting seeds behind the scenes, networking, and building meaningful connections. Slowly but surely, my business began to flourish. This experience didn’t just make me a better business owner; it uncovered new passions and purposes, filling me with a renewed sense of drive.
<b>The Silver Lining</b>
Looking back, I see how each struggle was a stepping stone to something greater. My journey through cyberbullying and personal challenges wasn’t easy, but it transformed me. I’ve learned to harness my past experiences as superpowers, helping not just myself but others thrive. Embracing change, showcasing my true self, and inspiring others to do the same has become my mission. And guess what? It’s possible to get paid for being your authentic, badass self.
So, smooth road? Definitely not. But I wouldn’t trade my journey for anything. It’s shaped me into the resilient, empowered, and thriving business owner I am today. Here’s to turning lemons into lemonade, one sip at a time! 🍋
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
<b>Meet Amanda Foster: Your Interior Design Business BFF</b> Hello! I’m Amanda Foster, also known as Amandork, the creative force behind Foster Decor Consulting. I specialize in helping interior design professionals ditch the vanilla and build vibrant, authentic brands that attract their dream clients without the hustle and grind.
<b>What Sets Me Apart</b>
What sets me apart is that I’m a one-stop shop for my peers in the industry. As a seasoned interior design pro with expertise in coaching, branding, and web design, I offer a comprehensive solution to overcome obstacles and build an exciting business.
<b>My Proudest Achievements</b>
I’m most proud of my ability to help designers uncover their unique superpowers and leverage them to stand out in the market. Through my VIP Intensive (Business + Brand Clarity Session for Interior eDesigners), we dive deep into the heart of their brand, define what makes them rockstars, and create a custom roadmap to attract their ideal clients.
<b>Transforming Brands with Strategic Insight</b>
No more shotgun approaches or DIY shortcuts! I guide my clients through finding their niche, crafting a killer brand identity, and developing a strong online presence that resonates with their tribe. From auditing their social media and website to providing feedback and implementing changes, I ensure every touchpoint elevates their brand and positions them as the go-to experts.
<b>Empowering Designers to Invest in Growth</b>
Investing in professional services is a boss move, and I’m here to be their all-in-one business BFF, mentoring, guiding, and cheerleading them to success. Together, we ditch the vanilla branding and vague marketing, replacing them with a unique, energetic brand that builds a loyal fanbase.
<b>Delivering Cohesive and Impactful Branding</b>
After the VIP Intensive, my clients receive a cohesive branding set, including custom social media templates, to establish a strong visual identity online. And for those in need of a website revamp, I offer custom web design services, creating a high-converting, professional site that clearly reflects their vibrant new brand.
<b>Conclusion: Elevating Every Project</b>
My mission is to empower interior designers to attract the right clients, ditch the DIY shortcuts, and collaborate with a seasoned pro who understands the industry’s ins and outs. With my guidance, they can upgrade their brand, website, and marketing, elevating every interaction and positioning themselves as the boss who rocks every project they work on.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
<b>Embracing Versatility in e-Design</b> This is an easy one, so, while working in the big e-design companies like Havenly or Decorist, we were taught to be chameleon designers. AKA change your style according to the client. So one day, I’d be Farmhouse in neutral and then the next day, I’d be Modern and Eclectic, and then the next day…Shabby Chic and Traditional or Vintage French. On the up, it was actually an interesting way for me to test my creativity, expand my portfolio, try out different design styles and aesthetics, and work with different types of people.
<b>Exploring Design Identities </b>
This is something I cover in my e-Design Bootcamp online course, and explain how this isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re first starting out. It’s naturally possible that you might not even know what type of designer you are yet, so it can be super beneficial to explore beyond your design horizons. You may think Modern is your vibe but then once you’re actually designing and working with clients to build your portfolio, you discover “Oh wow, I didn’t even know that there was this whole other design style called Eclectic!” And you fall in love and want to be doing projects like that forever. It also happens to be great learning to take and deliver on creative briefs and to PRACTICE working with clients, particularly those who may have very strong design choices and ideas themselves.
<b>Cultivating a Signature Style</b>
So, while I definitely see value in the experience, it is also key to develop your OWN point of view, design philosophy, and signature style. The most talented interior designers have a signature design style, and often it’s the colors, shapes, patterns, textures, and even furniture design choices from size to placement that define their work. In my experience, being on your own, as a small business or studio, you 100% don’t have to be a chameleon, constantly changing to match your client of the day. In fact, it will serve you best to unlearn this lesson, to be able to draw in your dream clients and projects, because they resonate with your actual authentic design language.
<b>From a Marketing Perspective</b>
This can also be a valuable lesson unlearned, as most people believe that having a wide net means that they’re going to catch a ton of fish. However, the opposite is actually true, if you don’t have clear messaging around who you are, who you serve, and what you do and specialize in, that vague sense of nowhere-land isn’t going to resonate with anyone.
<b>Your Smarter Competitor is Out There</b>
The competitor with clear messaging around their focus and specialization, and who understands and nails their niche, very likely attracts triple the clients with a small net versus a wide net. There’s a reason why it’s called “riches in the niches” and that’s what I help my peers discover through our intensive brand clarity sessions. We create the bespoke blueprint for their brand identity and business so that they can have a flourishing and profitable e-design biz versus a just-winging-it hobby on Instagram.
Pricing:
- VIP Intensive (Brand + Business Clarity Coaching Service) $597
- Signature Branding Package $997
- Signature Website Makeover $1997
- Social Media Bundle $299
- eDesign Bootcamp Courses $299
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/channel/UCHRVHA_ZbYxHP64uQPCNYmg
- SoundCloud: https://open.spotify.com/show/4RR2T4Su3jqcu765djwIgz?si=11af09be86024bfd
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/FosterDecorEdesignConsulting/
