We were lucky to catch up with Hilary Hays Greenhalgh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Hilary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was 29 years old and in the midst of making a major career change to become an interior designer. I was one semester into earning my master’s degree in interior design and architecture, but I still was not yet qualified for any of the jobs I really wanted. Many designers start out in retail and work their way into working for design firms. I knew that wasn’t the path for me.

While I was continuing to apply for jobs, hoping someone would recognize my talent and abilities I was not having any luck. I could not even get an interview. I had spent so much time working on my skill and my portfolio, I was so frustrated. I decided to start my own small business. I didn’t have any long-term goals, and I really didn’t think anything would necessarily come of it. I just knew I wanted to design – any way anyone would let me. I didn’t see myself working on big projects, I just wanted to get my feet wet and put myself out there. I figured it was a good way to get experience and build my portfolio until I graduated and was more qualified to get a job with a firm.

Once I made the decision to start a business, I didn’t know what to call it because this was an idea that I was executing kind of on whim, so I racked my brain for weeks trying to think of the perfect name. Eventually, deciding on a business name began to hold me back because I wasn’t able to get a logo or business cards made until I had one. One night, while hashing out names frustratingly with my husband for the hundredth time, I said I think I should just call the business “Little Green House” because I work out of our little green house. I presented the idea to a few other people in my circle, and everyone went for it- they instantly loved the name.

Shortly after establishing my new business name, I made a profile on Thumbtack and waited to see if I could get any jobs. It was not even a week before I had my first design job – a nursery. Shortly after, I had another job, and another, and before I knew it, I was designing! I was working on extremely small, low-budget jobs, but I loved it. Little Green House was my own and it very quickly became something I would never want to let go of.

I started to become obsessed with my business and the idea of making it a real success, so after about 9 months in, I started reassessing my logo, my branding, my short-term and long-term goals, and I started taking action. I started calling every builder an architect in the area and asking to meet with them to discuss the possibility of working together. The first day I I started doing this, I was so nervous, I couldn’t speak on the phone, so I had to write out a script to read from when they would answer the phone so I wouldn’t get tripped up. I set a goal for myself to call one builder a day (because that was about all my nerves could handle), and by the second week of this, I was completely comfortable with making these phone calls, it was no longer a big deal.

During this practice, I made many connections with both builders and architects. I was able to establish partnerships with several builders, and friendships with other vendors as well. Also, through this process, I was able to take my business from a very tiny, low budget interior design firm into the next level as a bathroom and structural renovation full-service design firm. I continue to put myself out there every day, and I am constantly making new progress. It is my goal to work with some of the big name architects and builders in the area, and I know that if I continue my efforts, some day that will be a reality for me.

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

How I Got Into My Business It was actually a long path to get into my current business. I was raised in a family business and that was all I had ever known. At the age of 22, I knew that I wanted to find something that belonged only to me and to forge my own path. I went to college and earned an associates of science in graphic design. This was not something I pursued after earning the degree because I was scared to go backward financially to pursue a new career, and I was young and single and I had bills to pay, I felt it was risky.

A few years later, I was getting the itch again to make a change, so I went back to school again and earned my bachelors of science in marketing. I thought I was going to be some marketing executive and combine my creative and logic skills into a shiny new career. Until I interviewed for my first marketing job. I took one look around and I knew instantly that I wasn’t built to sit in an office all day. So I went back to the drawing board.

At this time I was in the middle of an existential crisis. I knew I wasn’t happy in my career, I knew I wanted to do something different, but I couldn’t figure out what could possibly ever make me happy or feel fulfilled. Something my husband has said kept ringing in my ears; when I first started marketing school, I remember him saying to one of my family members “she thinks she’s going to be some marketing executive, but I don’t see that for her. She’s meant to design something”. I knew he was right, I have always been creative, and I have always needed a creative outlet to be happy. I tried again with graphic design for a little bit, but it just didn’t feel right and it wasn’t something I felt I was talented enough at to make a career.

I started asking myself questions like why did I feel I needed to make a career change so badly? What is it that I have always loved to do? What was I always interested in as a child? Soon, answers started to reveal themselves. I wanted to make a career change so I could make enough money to completely renovate my home. As a child, I spent all my time drawing, making floor plans for my bedroom and for play houses I wanted to build, rearranging my room, and playing Sims until 5AM building houses. Once the lightbulb went off, it was like how could I not have seen this in front of my face? My whole life it has been right there.

So, I immediately started applying for internships. I wanted to spend time in the field to make sure this was the right choice for me before I began pursuing yet another degree or certification without actually applying it. I was able to get an internship right away, and I knew almost immediately this was what I was meant to do. The first time I stepped on a new build, I had the feeling everyone who has always known what they were born to do has talked about. There were no questions about it. I completed my internship, and enrolled in a masters program, taught myself design software, and started Little Green House.

Services I Provide
Over the last two years, I have been able to observe from my clients what they want and need the most. From that knowledge, I was able to put together a portfolio of service offerings that I think check all boxes.

The main thing I offer is full-service interior design, which includes everything from floor plans, 3D modeling, finish selection, furniture selection, and project management all the way down to job completion.

But, I also offer an array of mini-services for those who don’t feel they need full-service design. I offer paint color consultations, space planning, lighting consultations, and virtual design service.

I have found the mini-services to be a great supplement to full-service because often I work with a full-service client on one space, and they end up hiring me for a mini-service for another space, because maybe that space needs less work, or they just want to paint it and update the lighting for now. I also have clients reach out who are interested in mini-services who end up working with me on full-service design once they see what I am able to do for them.

What Sets Me Apart From Others
I think what sets me apart from other designers is my commitment to service and satisfaction. I found a consistent lack of care when it comes to attention to detail and customer satisfaction from both designers, and builders when listening to past experiences and concerns from my clients. What I provide for my clients is a service. I feel they are paying me to take a load off of their shoulders, to make the process as easy and as care-free as possible for them, and I feel I have been successful in creating this experience of service for them. When someone hires me, all they have to worry about is approving or denying what is put in front of them, and then paying their invoices. I handle all design, communication with vendors, problem solving, product ordering, product deliveries, and product management. I also present all design selections in-home, so the client never needs to leave their home throughout the entire process. I pride myself on the convenience that I provide for my clients.

Second, I come with a unique design style that cannot be found with just any designer. I identify as a mostly traditional in style, but I have a unique eye that brings something special to my designs. Most of my clients recognize this and appreciate it.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me has been my connections with local builders. I have partnered with several builders who call me when they have a client who is looking to work with a designer. I believe word of mouth and connection is the best way to grow.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

This isn’t one-story answer, but I would just say the entire first year of owning this business has been my hardest year to date. As I mentioned before, I didn’t start this business with intentions for it to be where it is now. It was just supposed to fill my time and help me get experience.

When I quickly fell in love with my business, working for myself, and what I do, it became an obsession. All I could think about was work, how to get more of it, and how to grow.

There were many days with no phone calls, no inquiries, and no call backs from builders. There was a lot of money wasted on brochures, post cards, and digital marketing. There have been many nights of crying, and wondering if I can/should be doing this. There have been many times whereI applied for jobs to try and keep myself afloat until I could figure out how to grow. But nothing else I tried ever worked and I think that is for a reason. I think this is what I am meant to do and I think that because giving up has never been an option, it’s never even crossed my mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.littlegreenhouseinteriors.com
• Instagram: @l.ttlegreenhouse
• Facebook: @l.ttlegreenhouse
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-green-house-interiors-frazer-2