We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Muster recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

No matter what field or profession, I believe it takes determination, professionalism, reliability, courage and a growth mindset that truly sets you apart. As a female entrepreneur, building a small business is no easy feat. I have learned that growth comes from failure, that strength comes from identifying your weakness, that success comes from being open to feedback and over coming your own insecurities. However, when you are truly passionate about your ability to make a difference, and you implement the pillars to success listed above, you will thrive. It may take time, you will have set backs but with every step there is progress and that is success.

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

My journey with interior design started after my mother passed away from cancer. She was my rock, my driving force, and constant in life. She has always been her children’s biggest cheerleader and created a foundation in our lives that with hard work, positive attitude, and determination you can accomplish anything. After she passed away, I took those words of wisdom and knew I HAD to follow my passion to become an interior designer- and so I did. As a child, and my mom would say this often, I had an eye for design. A skill to create beautiful space, with the appreciation of mixing vintage pieces that tell a story with modern elements. I have carried this style into adulthood and it is weaved in the fabric of my business and design philosophy.

When I decided to begin this business, I immediately started an Instagram page sharing the tips and tricks to styling your home on a budget with thrifted finds, vintage pieces and the occasional modern element to finish off the look. My goal was to help others create a home of their dreams with easy home organization ideas, a fresh look on how antiques can create a story in your home and splashes of family life and self-motivation in the mix. I wanted to empower moms, and women to take back their homes and create a comfortable, relaxing space where functionality, and family meets styled home. I never expected that in less than a year, my social media would grow to the point it has and become a platform to inspire others and market my own design business.

With the growing social media I began to take on eDesign clients and work one-on-one with them to create a space they truly loved. eDesign really began as a way to virtually design your home, see the space in a “whole picture” view while working with budgets and floor plans. This type of interior design service keeps interior designers able to offer affordable rates so everyone has accessibility to a beautifully styled home.

My take on eDesign is different from most. What sets me apart is my ability to take what the owner loves and appreciates already in their home and mix it with other pieces that will create functionality and create a cohesive space that cultivates and evokes a feeling of HOME. There is a major misconception that you need to buy all new to make a space beautiful, and that is not the case. We have stories, memories and feelings behind the artifacts in our home that resonant with who we are as people. Those pieces that make us feel “all the things”, should stay and be celebrated in the design. That is what I strive to do with each of my clients. I want to know what is important to them, meaningful and what they need to make their house a home that works with their family and style alike.

I’m sure by this point everyone wants to know the deets! How does this all work? How will I know I LOVE my design and home? Don’t worry you WILL, and if you aren’t sure, this is why we keep open lines of communication to make sure everything runs smoothly. First, a detailed design questionnaire is completed to give me information about the project. I then schedule a Zoom meeting with my clients to dive deeper into their design, get to know them (they get to know me too!) and figure out precisely what they need to make their space work for them. They complete a little homework ie: sending me pictures of their space, measurements, items they want to keep and an inspiration board. Once all the goods are in, I begin the design process. I will submit the initial design to the client and they will give me feedback on what works well for them and what might need to be tweaked. Once the final design is rendered, they have access to a detailed shopping list, a rationale and product placement. I always have open lines of communication to help see the design to come to fruition. It’s truly a seamless process, but most of all FUN and exciting to create a space you love.

Truly, this business has become a dream come true. I never thought in a million years that I would become an entrepreneur, and help to change people’s lives through design. I whole- heartedly believe that home is where your heart is. It is your space of vulnerability, comfort, family and peace. When you are able to be in a space you love, you can truly live. This is where life can meet styled home

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Building a business and being present on social media is no easy feat. I think oftentimes there is a misconception that you post a picture and you get all the engagement and people flock to your sites to purchase your services. That is just not reality. It is SO MUCH work behind that pretty picture or video. There is the algorithm, editing, set design, concept creation, product review, copywriting, SEO, website development, pricing auditing, services offered, marking, blogging etc. All of this encompasses the realities that social media marketing and building a business can be defeating and unwavering, often invoking the feelings of insecurities and “am I good enough.” . It is important to remember that you are here for a reason and that attitude must be rounded by a strong business plan and a philosophy of continued education. You need to be open to learning and adjusting your mindset to grow. Another crucial element to building resilience in business is building a community of support. Find your friends, your family, your cheerleaders that will give you the strength, constructive feedback in order to adapt to an ever changing industry. Creating those pillars and foundations for your business will demonstrate to your clients that you offer professionalism, accountability and reliability that will turn into trust, respect and a paying client.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing your clients/followers really falls under one pillar; trust. They are trusting that what you are saying, offering, demonstrating, will be valid, helpful and inspire their lives and make it BETTER. If you cannot be reliable, relatable, and honest, it creates a foundation of insecurities. When people feel unsure, uncertain, or uncomfortable they often avoid it. We are providing a service and we need to know what the client wants, what the need and what will keep them coming back. It is important to identify those specific questions to keep a continuous connection and keep them coming back. Remember that you are not only providing your clients/following with content or a service, but they can offer it to you. Be open to communication that is thoughtful, personable and makes your client feel that they are valued and heard.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theblisshouseco.com
• Instagram: @theblisshouseco
• Facebook: The Bliss House Co.
• Other: Tik Tok: @theblisshouseco Pinterest: @theblisshouseco Google: The Bliss House Co.

Image Credits
Family Photos. and photo of me: Jess Palmer Photography