We were lucky to catch up with Erica Dike recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, folks often look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight – but that often obscures all the nitty, gritty details of everything that went into the growth phase of your business. We’d love to hear about your scaling story and how you scaled up?

For me, the most impactful thing I did to grow my business was show up. I used all the resources and knowledge I had to show up as my best self while actively seeking ways to improve. I took a risk and jumped into this business a year after being laid off, so I had very little money. I did however have talent and I knew that all I had to do was prove myself. So that’s what I did. I focused on building my portfolio. I did the best I could with any client that I could get and any budget. I always looked at the bigger picture: showing up. I sacrificed money for exposure. People had to know what I could do in order to want to work with me.

I created opportunities for myself by running interior and event design giveaways. This helped my business gain visibility and I also got to use the work I did for the winners in my portfolio. This was one of my best strategies for growth. You can wait for clients to come along or you can take your service to them through giveaways. When you control the frequency of your opportunities, it helps you grow faster. I still run giveaways occasionally whenever I want to give my business a boost.

I prepared for business growth by incorporating systems in my business early. I always had a system for invoicing and collecting payments from day one. I knew that if I was planning to grow I needed to be able to handle multiple clients at once with systems and automation. A CRM system made it easy for clients to work with me. That goes back to what I said about showing up as my best self.

If I had to sum it up, I would say I scaled up by showcasing my best efforts and creating an easy to follow booking process.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have always had an eye for design. As a young girl I never knew that I could design spaces for a living. I didn’t think much into it. My first corporate job out of college was at NASA as a systems engineer. Now, I design homes, events and investment properties for busy professionals. Very different, I know, but I love it. I specialize in optimized design which some people often confuse with budget-friendly. I help professionals save time and spend wisely on their projects. The beginning of a successful career is often the busiest part of the journey, but it’s also the time when you appreciate unique spaces that keep you going. Whether it’s a space in your home, investment property or a venue for your special occasion, well-designed spaces make you feel things. I love what I do and I’m very passionate about creating comfortable, functional spaces.

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

Being reliable helped build my reputation. I named my company after me, so in a way my name is always on the line, literally. How I see it, when you start a business you are committing to providing your service or product to clients. So you really can’t have any excuses. You always have to try. I always did my best to provide the best service possible. Things did not always go smoothly on the backend but I do what I need to do to make sure my clients are always satisfied. Being reliable brings trust, and when clients trust you they continue to work with you. That trust also makes clients feel comfortable to refer you. They put their names on the line for yours. There’s no better marketing than word-of-mouth.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Listening to podcasts helps me to grow my business. They vary in topics from business growth to current design trends. I like staying informed and knowledgeable. That’s what helps you stand out as an expert in your field.

I graduated college with a business degree in MIS (management information systems). I have always understood the importance of systems so I’m really big on using softwares to streamline my processes. I think that has really helped me in managing my business. I don’t like to do anything manually or go out of my normal process for any client. Every step plays a role in providing the best result for a client, so omitting anything will be a disservice to them. That’s my mindset when it comes to systems and automation. It’s the foundation of any successful business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ericaooh.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaoohdesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericaoohdesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-dike-2b86141a7/

Image Credits
Daniel Torres Krytondra Mamou