We were lucky to catch up with Andrea Karow recently and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

My first real client that was not a friend or family member came to me while my husband and I were remodeling our home. Our home was located on a corner in a very walkable neighborhood and because our remodel was such a huge undertaking that noone could possibly miss it when they turned down our street! She was so impressed by the design selections, planning and execution that she felt like I was the perfect fit for her. The rest is history! She has been a loyal and repeat client and I am so grateful.

Andrea, 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?

My interest in design and beautifying my home goes back to high school. I was the girl swapping out her duvet and pillows and painting her room often. While I didn’t go to school for design I had been playing with it and helping family and friends for years. I had a friend who was a designer and told me that I had a natural talent and that I should pursue it.

I decided to quit my full-time job and make a go of a one woman design firm. While starting my business and deciding on the name I discovered that I was pregnant with my son and from there we decided to name the business after him and that’s how Davenport Design came to be.

I am now 8 years in to being a small business owner and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted Davenport Design to be a business that all budgets could approach. We take on simple paint projects, remodeling to new build design. My bread and butter is remodeling of older homes; the home I mentioned earlier that we remodeled was a 1930’s home so we love all the quirky bits that come with old houses.

Davenport Design also has an in-house construction crew that handles all of our remodeling which allows for a more fluid and timely project because I oversee every step.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

99% of my clientele have been referrals. I build very strong relationships with my clients and by the end of it we become friends. Those friends then recommend me to theirs. I have not needed to do any of my own marketing as one project ends another begins- we are so fortunate in that way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Part of why I took the leap of leaving a 9:00 to 5:00 office job was feeling like I wasn’t contributing to people’s happiness. My tagline for my business has been to “love where you live”; I begin a project in someone’s house and when I’m finished we’ve made it a home. Some people think that design is silly and a luxury good and I would argue that making your surroundings beautiful and functional is good for your soul and overall wellbeing. The feeling you get at the end of a project when a client is ready to jump to the next item on their list is indescribable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.designdavenport.com
• Instagram: davenport_design

Image Credits
Davenport Design took all the interior photos.