We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chaney Widmer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chaney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Mix & Match Design Company evolved organically out of a long-held desire to pursue a career in the creative world. The story begins in 2012 when was working in healthcare. I was placed at a brand new clinic that was still getting off the ground, so I found I had a lot of spare time on my hands. There was a limited amount of “real” work to do at my desk and I decided to start writing an interior design and DIY blog as a hobby. I shared projects I was doing around our tiny Washington, DC apartment and developed quite a knack for decorating. I was spending all of my nights and weekends on projects and photographing them, and then writing the posts at work during the day in my pockets of free time. (Don’t tell my old boss!)
Though I didn’t have any formal schooling, my blog became my training ground and I gained a nice following over the next few years. Eventually, folks started asking for help with their homes and I would offer advice through email and even in the comments section of the blog.
My husband was in business school at the time and we were always talking about entrepreneurship and business ideas. Given how the blog had taken off, I thought I might be able to launch some design services out of that, but with a twist: only offering those services online. I had been paying attention to the fact that consumers were more and more comfortable purchasing furniture online and other service industries were starting to offer virtual options, so I thought to myself, “why not interior design too?”
In 2015, I officially launched Mix & Match Design Company as an e-design-only business. It felt like a risk, but after about six months of taking clients on part time, I felt like there was enough traction to make the leap to full time entrepreneurship. There was definitely a need for approachable, affordable interior design services, and I felt I could serve that market uniquely through online interior design services. I found my niche pretty quickly and have been doing that ever since!
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 name is Chaney Widmer, and I’m the Founder and Lead Designer for Mix & Match Design Company, an online interior design business that serves clients all over the country. I’m all about making interior design approachable for everyday living. I love coming alongside my clients to help them create warm, functional homes that reflect their personality and style. I offer a variety of services to meet different needs: from a texting-only service to full room design.
What sets Mix & Match Design Company apart is its approach – e-design is a very collaborative process that hands the client a “package” at the end for them to execute the design at their own pace. When I design a room or a home, I put together realistic design boards that show them what the furniture and decor will look like in their space, along with a detailed shopping list that allows them to purchase the pieces when they’re ready. This gives them a guiding hand in putting together a beautiful space and allows them to take advantage of shopping online.
I also write a blog that’s full of actionable design tips, advice, and project reveals. My hope is that I have a little something for everyone, regardless of whether they hire me to work with them one-on-one.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
I’d say it’s a combination of word of mouth referrals and SEO. I’ve worked hard to provide a really good, consistent client experience that leaves clients thrilled with their new spaces and because of that, many of my new clients have come from old ones.
I’ve also invested a lot of time and energy into being visible online. My blogging background has certainly been helpful in building a website that consistently shows up in Google search results and on Pinterest (a great place to be for interior design!). I’ve found in the past few years that one of the ways people find me is in their online searches for advice on decorating their homes, follow me on Instagram, and then might eventually sign on for e-design services.
Both of these sources of new clients have taken time to build, but creating that “funnel,” and staying active and present online has been a key to the growth of my company.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Consistency, consistency, consistency. Get to know your ideal client and where they hang out (virtually or in real life), and then keep showing up in those places. Serve them rather than sell to them – you’ll gain their trust and then your name will be the one that comes to mind when they need what you have to offer. This is particularly true in service industries that are more of an investment like interior design services that people don’t use all that often. You need to be top of mind when they’re ready to work with someone!
Contact Info:
- Website: mixandmatchdesign.com
- Instagram: mixandmatchdesigncompany
Image Credits
Headshot: Hadley C. Miller Photography; all others by Chaney Widmer