We were lucky to catch up with Autumn POCHIRO recently and have shared our conversation below.

Autumn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

“Do what you love and work for whom you admire the most, and you’ve given yourself the best chance in life you can.” Warren Buffett

I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was a kid! At just ten years old, I kicked off my journey with a paper route and then launched a tiny cleaning service for my three paper customers. This venture lasted until I was 14, and it helped me earn an impressive $150 a month. While that might not seem like much today, back in 1990, it was enough to snag a stylish pair of Giraud jeans! Those early experiences really ignited my passion for business and laid the foundation for everything I’ve achieved since.

Although I did not start Autumn Dawn Design until 2015, I had a few other design-oriented ventures that sparked my creative journey. At one point, I launched a custom children’s clothing business from a closet in my home, sewing every ruffle and monogram for babies. Even then, I was designing parties for my daughters, decorating my own home, and helping others tap into their creative energy. During those years, my girls were so young that I could not imagine running a design firm at the scale we do now. Additionally, we have moved across the U.S. multiple times, which adds another layer of complexity to running a business. I believe this is the perfect time in my life to pursue a creative venture.

Autumn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Autumn Dawn Design was established in 2015 after a season of spontaneous “hobby design” for friends. I had spent years creating custom children’s clothing and window treatments for clients in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arizona, and Boston. Eventually, I landed in Ohio, in the Midwest, where I embarked on yet another home renovation that my wonderful community embraced. It was through this experience that I cultivated a design firm centered on process—managing every aspect of design.

Interior design will always be an art form. There are rules, and there’s taste. Some people stick to the status quo, but outstanding design is art in its rarest form. Believe it or not, most of society sticks with white rooms and white furniture and rarely steps outside of what I call catalog design, self-conscious design. I believe in unrestrained design, bold, contrasting colors, and whimsical moments that envelop one’s senses. I am grateful to work with clients whom I admire. Clients who become like family and who trust the design process to create a new home they will adore for years to come.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One important lesson I had to unlearn is perfectionism. I used to believe that I should and could control every aspect of every moment, image, and design. This mindset became detrimental, preventing me from allowing others to contribute and making it difficult for me to ask for help. I was leading from a place of fear, constantly worried about failure. This tendency began in my childhood, when my need for self-reliance led to some very unhealthy business practices.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As designers and entrepreneurs, we often feel the pressure to do everything ourselves. This urge stems from the desire to create beauty from a blank slate. However, I believe that true luxury lies in efficiency. My approach involves committing to specific aspects of a project without exception, which helps the project maintain momentum. This system enables us to work smarter, not harder. I am grateful for this design journey that allows me to do what I love, alongside clients and tradespeople who become like family, all while creating beauty together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.autumndawndesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autumn_dawn_design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autumndawndesign/?_rdr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-pochiro-0b6a39200

Image Credits

Kip Dawkins Photography