We were lucky to catch up with Kara Clark recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
When I started my own interior design business and began working for myself, it was in the middle of the pandemic, I had a brand new one year old and my marriage was only about 3 years in. Needless to say it was a pretty crazy time! Now that I am two years into running my own business, I can truly say that working for myself was the best move I ever made. I think almost daily as I pick my 3 year old up from school in the afternoon, how I simply would not be able to do that if I worked for another company. I get to spend so much more quality time with my family and work when I have energy or feeling inspired! Design is first and foremost a creative job, and sometimes that creativity just doesn’t spark from 9-5. Sometimes it’s in the shower or while I am taking a walk. Working for myself has allowed me that flexibility. Now that I am expecting another baby in September 2022, work life balance is going to be more important than ever!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have always been creative but I did not always know I wanted to be an interior designer. I have a formal degree in Graphic Design, and that is the industry that I worked in straight out of collage. After a few years I kew I needed something different and did a bit of soul searching (while working of course!) I have a family member in the construction industry, specifically a kitchen and bath remodeler. I spoke with them briefly about interior design and her word we “you would be so good at that.” After that moment I did everything I could to immerse myself in the industry. After a lot of research, podcasts, books and magazines I knew this was what I was meant to do. I left a nice paying, comfortable job and got a sales position at a luxury kitchen and bath showroom. I learned so much! After a few years I was able to land my first job at an interior design firm. The rest is history!
Interior design is not something that I fell into, or just decided to try out. It was a decision that was thought about long and hard. I left what I knew to pursue something that I loved and knew would be good at. Over time I realized what a natural talent I have for it and love that every day I get to help people create their dream homes!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I am a big believer in podcasts. It is an easy way to gain knowledge while you are multitasking. For me it is mostly while I am driving. That time would be wasted otherwise!
Two major podcasts for me have been Clever and a Well Designed Business. Clever gave me insight into the culture and had a huge impact on me deciding to become an interior designer. A Well Designed Business is made for interior designers and gives advice on how to run a successful interior design business. It has been a very impactful source of information from me and helped me a lot in my journey!
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I am a big believer in never spending money you do not have. It is just the way I was raised. That being said, when I started this business I really had to brainstorm on how to get my first clients! As a designer, if you have done work for a firm, technically those designs belong to the firm, not to you. So with no portfolio and virtually no money to start I did some thinking. I posted on Nextdoor and put a $5 ad on Craigslist (I know crazy right.) Believe it or not, in just 1 year that $5 ad turned into my first few jobs, which introduced me to contractors, who started referring me to their clients. Those first few jobs I did for what seems like almost free now, but the contacts I made and portfolio work I was able to gain was well worth it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karanicoleclarkinteriors.com
- Instagram: karanicoleclark
- Other: TikTok: karanicoleclark
Image Credits
Jeff Lewis- Real Photo SD