We were lucky to catch up with Ericka Moody recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ericka, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job

I learned to flexible like Gumby. Embrace change, conflict, challenges, and roll with the punches.

In working under several bosses and many clients for three decades, I’ve been asked to rework, redo, and start from scratch. Sometimes I didn’t agree with the feedback, but I always happily made it happen. As a manager, I had to fire, demote and counsel coworkers I considered friends. That was really hard, but I handled it honestly & professionally (while oftentimes nervous and upset inside). Right before I finally started my own business, I was laid off. It was April 2020 and the company freaked & downsized with the Covid lockdowns. Talk about rolling with the punches! As the song goes, I got knocked down but I always got up again! I truly believe attitude is everything, and when I encounter a problem, I’ve learned to focus on the solution. This lesson was learned from a multitude of experiences, and has helped me immensely in my own business, and in life.

Ericka, 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?

I  began my craft at a young age, when I took my first drafting class in junior high. I absolutely loved drawing, and went on to pursue architecture. While hanging out in my dorm, I came upon some students working on a project in the common area. It looked like something I would love, and I found out it was called interior design. Back in 1986 it wasn’t a common career path, but more widely accepted as something cool housewives did.  Cal Poly SLO was offering it, and it’s exactly what I wanted to do, so I shifted my pursuit to interior design.

I offer interior design for many types of projects, but my focus is typically on whole home design— often new construction, and sometimes significant remodels. My scope usually includes everything inside and sometimes out as well. I select and specify finishes, and select and provide furnishings, lighting, pillows, rugs, and all the finishing touches for a move-in ready home.

My experience in design and project management has provided me with knowledge and resources that allow me to work creatively with extreme efficiency. I just had a new client yesterday (he is an accountant) tell me that he was apprehensive to see the value in what I do when they first hired me— I think his wife twisted his arm. But after I presented to them, he walked away with a new understanding and appreciation of my value. That was pretty cool to hear. I completely believe in the value of what I do, and I’ve seen the difference it makes in people’s lives being surrounded by a beautiful, functional, comfortable environment. It’s truly life-changing for my clients— many of which have not used a designer before, but come into newer wealth that allows them to splurge a little.

I think something that sets me apart is that I take care of all parts of the business. When you hire me, you get me. I answer the phone; I answer texts. I am at your meetings. I purchase the goods, I track the goods, I install the goods. With larger firms, the work gets divided, and sometimes the vision can get diluted. I’ve had clients that have felt this way in using larger firms, and not receiving the personal attention they need from the person they connected with on the front end of the project. This, of course means I can take on far fewer clients than most, but I’ve designed it that way. I think this sets me apart from firms that are focused on growth. My firm is focused on providing a personalized, boutique level of service to clients.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Happy clients have been the #1 source of new business— roughly 70% of my clients thus far have been referrals from another client whose home I have designed. The other 30% is from referrals from my peers– people I have worked with over the 30+ years working in the field.

As an interior designer I’m lucky because my work shows for itself, so I’ve never had to ‘sell’ myself. Naturally, happy clients share their delight with their friends and family, and become loyal clients themselves. After the very first home I completed, I have since worked on four referral projects from that client alone. The second home I completed resulted in two more referrals, and my network continues to grow. The lion’s share of my work comes that way, and it’s been wonderful because they trust me implicitly. They’ve seen the results of my work, and heard firsthand what it is like working with me.

Referrals from my peers- typically designers I’ve worked alongside in the past that don’t work with residential clients- have also referred a steady stream of business my way.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I started with a few thousand dollars in the bank, a computer, printer, and old dining table as a desk. I have never borrowed money or taken a loan. I learned through my time in leadership at a former company that you never play doctor without a patient, meaning you never do work without a contract in place and retainer deposited in the bank. I (we) learned that the hard way on several occasions. Not only does that ensure you are never dipping into your own pocket to float cash for a project, but you are ensuring the client is serious and committed.

In the field of creative people, business finance is an interesting topic. A lot designers cringe at the thought of having to discuss contracts, retainers, and all that comes with it with clients. But it’s ultimately the most important part when running a business- and you literally cannot do so without a healthy cash flow.

I am not shy when it comes to the topic, but I do like to get it out of the way first and foremost, so I can move on to the creative part. I never do business without a contract in place, and a retainer up front. I do not order goods without being paid in advance, and I don’t offer terms. I pay all my vendors in advance as well, because I believe it’s more efficient that way, and keeps my cash flow balanced.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.moodydesigngroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moodydesigngroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoodyDesignGroup/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moody-design-group/