We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eddie Mickenberg. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eddie below.
Eddie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?
In the initial meetings with my clients, it is important for me to ask open ended questions that allow my clients to elaborate and open up about what is important to them. Many times my cilent has an idea of what they want, but don’t know how to interpret or execute their ideas. I had a client who once told me they love the “modern” interior design look. The way I see style, is that everything is subjective to interpretation. So to help me understand what their idea of modern is, is to show me a few of their favorite images of modern rooms they like for inspiration. When they sent me these images, I was able to see patterns of the mid century modern look with some eclectic touches. They didn’t know the differences of modern styles, but that is my job to figure out and provide my client with a perspective in their style they didn’t know they loved, individually, and enhance/customize those styles to their home. This practice was important to set the foundation of this project and have a clear direction for their entire home design. He was very impressed at this first initial observation I made, because it was one of the most important ones that would essentially be hours or days of work I would be designing their home around. I think in any line of work, what makes a successful business is not only being a good listener, but also asking the right questions. As simple as this sounds, this could be the difference between the client hiring a different interior designer or having a long term client relationship.
Eddie, 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 name is Eddie Mickenberg and I am the owner of an interior design business in Los Angeles, CA. I have been in this industry for 15 years. I worked for a few top interior design firms and shortly after opened my own interior design business. Going off completely on my own has been one of the scariest, but most rewarding changes in my life. Having worked for established design firms, I learned a lot about interior design business operations, strategy and structure. This knowledge and experience has helped me understand running an interior design business. An important element for my business is being able to put yourself in the clients shoes every step of the way and make sure they feel understood and inspire them to see the best design potential of their space. I focus on residential interior design because there is more freedom in the design parameters you won’t get in commercial or hospitality design. And continuing to be a part of making my clients home feel special never gets old. The support I have been given from everyone has also made me realize how I have been able to inspire people who have been with me through my interior design business path.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Being a business owner means there will always be times you have to pivot to reach your goal, big or small. In my line of work, there is a lengthy process that requires a lot of focus and detail orientation throughout the way. Sometimes depending on contractors that are hired to help install a kitchen for example. I hire outside contractors to install or work on job sites regularly, and on one occasion I had already contracted a cabinet maker/installer to finish the job within a 12 week period. During that time, there were unforeseen issues with the contractors personal life that put the job on hold 6 weeks in. It is my job to make sure I can still meet my clients expectations on deadlines regardless of what happens, if possible. I was able to find a small cabinet installer company who was able to finish the kitchen cabinet installation and be compensated from the previous contractor who was not able to finish the job. This way I made sure the new contractor was paid and everyone was happy.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart or even for people who just want to be challenged. What really takes you all the way home is the love and meaning of what you are creating and how that process, although it’s tough, is exciting and you love it. Because the majority of the time, it can be very risky, a lot of hard work and no reward. Also, I do think that good business owners are a different breed, in a sense that not only are we fearless, but are able to walk through the eye of the storm in terrible condition, just to get to the other side and find out now you have to walk through a lava pit on a tight rope and so on. When you really want something to workout, you will make it happen no matter what!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eddiemickenberg.com
- Instagram: emickenberg
- Other: Business Instagram: eddiemickenberg
Image Credits
Photography by Andrew Bui