Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bess Lovern. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bess, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

The risk of starting a business is always challenging and nerve-wracking. I think if you would have asked me when I graduated University of Virginia if I would be starting Bess Lovern Designs, a full-service interior design business, by now, the answer probably would have been no. I always knew that I had the entrepreneurial spirit, but what really changed my timeline was my work experience. I spent the beginning of my career working with a few different interior designers, which gave me a chance to not only put my education to use, but also learn about the challenges running a business. Almost naturally, I put an emphasis on understanding how different interior designers approached those challenges, which provided insight into the best way to organize Bess Lovern Designs (BLD) to both fulfill every client need while building a healthy business.
I think the important thing to understand with “risk” as it relates to being an entrepreneur is that, while taking the first step of starting a business may be the biggest risk, the risks don’t end there. As I have continued to grow my business into serving a range of clients across the United States, I am constantly taking risks, both large and small. As a result, I have had to become comfortable living in a world of risks – from design choices, to timely delivery of bespoke furniture, to trusting the artisans I work on to bring my visions to life. I am excited about the methodology I have developed to take transform those risks into calculated risks, which I have found gives me the best opportunity to get my decisions right.

Despite this constant managing of risk, which can provide a healthy level of stress, there are daily reminders about why I have the best job in the world — at least to me. As I look back on my past few years of business, I am proud that I can say that, in general, the risks I have taken have been successful, which gives me more confidence to continue to take calculated risks as I continue to grow my business.

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.

I am the Founder and Principal of Bess Lovern Designs, a Dallas-based full-service interior design firm that endeavors to provide three things that are often lacking in my field: creative design solutions that combine elegance and fun; hands-on service across every phase of a project; and total peace of mind for my clients. My firm works on high end residential interior architecture and design projects, ranging from from full scale renovations to interior design and decor.
My interest in architecture and design dates back to my upbringing in New York City, where I was inspired by the variety of creative ways that architects and designers make use of space. After earning an architecture degree from University of Virginia, I started as an Architectural Designer at COOKFOX Architects, one of the leading architecture firms in New York. Working with some of the brightest designers in the industry during my time there, I found myself most drawn to the interior architecture and design aspects of my work on high-end residential buildings.

I spent the next several years learning about the interior design business by working closely with the founders of several interior design firms in Dallas. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, it wasn’t long before I started to think about launching my own firm. After a friend approached me to help with the design and renovation of their home in Dallas in 2021, I realized that this was the time to make the leap and launch Bess Lovern Designs. My work on that project started a steady stream of referrals that has only grown. In addition to my projects in Dallas, word-of-mouth referrals have helped me spread my work across the country, resulting in my work on projects in New York, South Florida, Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. I am so grateful for both the tremendous support I continue to receive from my current and past clients and the opportunity to work on some amazing homes.

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

Our current and past clients have been the best and primary source of new clients for BLD. After a project is completed with a client that is happy with the experience and proud to welcome others into their home, there is a deluge of new potential clients knocking down the BLD door.
To me, the most critical thing for a good client experience is getting to know my client beyond just the project itself – meeting their family, understanding what their daily lives are like, and learning about what they want their home to feel like. I get to know each client on a very personal level which enables me to ensure that each detail in their home is realized in a way that makes the home functional and reflects the needs of each family. A critical part of our design process is understanding how to make life easier for our clients and ensuring the end product reflects this. A space needs to be both functional and beautiful in order for it to be a successful project.

For example, with our clients with young children, we look to source durable furniture and performance fabrics to make sure that the design can withstand the inevitable spills and bumps, while not losing sight of the visual aspect. And we don’t forget the four-legged members of the family in our designs – it’s one of our favorite parts. We recently designed a “doggy dining room” in our clients’ kitchen, replete with built in plumbing and custom marble dog bowls, and we’ve gotten great feedback on the custom dog beds we have created, which have been retrofitted for built-in bookshelves.

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

As with any service business, reputation is currency. I approach every day understanding that each of my actions has the potential to impact my reputation – positively or negatively. This is why my high-touch service with clients never wavers, both during a project as well as after it is completed. I know how important it is to do whatever it takes to deliver the best experience for clients – even if that means taking on an unnecessary expense. While that expense may have short term ramifications, I see it as an investment in my reputation.
In addition to satisfied clients, my reputation is staked on differentiating BLD from other interior designers. One of the aspects that differentiates our approach is the ability to integrate existing furniture seamlessly into our designs. From family heirlooms to art collected over the years, I love to honor those pieces and give them a new life amid our designs. We also differentiate BLD by focusing on reupholstering or painting vintage pieces, which add history and texture to any design with sustainability in mind. We prioritize collaboration with our clients in this aspect of the work, making sure to incorporate their culture or where they grew up, which results in a home that reflects their personal history and style.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bessloverndesigns.com
• Instagram: bessloverndesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bess-lovern-68a657a6/

Image Credits
Becca Lea Photography