We were lucky to catch up with Laura Christian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Often times people may have this lofty view about what being an interior designer and business owner entails, but the truth of the matter is it takes dedication, a clear focus, and just putting in the work day-in and day-out. Our biggest days of our projects are without a doubt the Install Days, where we come in and transform a home with the carefully selected furnishings. It can look so easy, but these days represent countless hours of designing, planning, and preparation. If it is a new build, these projects have been in the works for a couple of years. We can make it look like everything is done in a day, but everyone knows anything good takes time. It is truly a labor of love!

Hard work may be the “cliche” answer but it is absolutely the right answer. Working hard for a long period of time takes discipline, and in order to build a successful business, you need discipline and a consistent work ethic. There are definitely highs and lows, but a business should not be based on emotion. Regardless of when you do not feel like it, the work still needs to be done, even if it is the mundane tasks.

Other people in your circle may not understand your “why”. Always bet on yourself. If your vision, drive, and passion is there–do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Buckle down, trust yourself, and see you dreams turn into reality.

Laura, 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 Laura Christian and I worked as a registered nurse for almost 10 years. I always had a passion for interior design but didn’t fully realize it until I had a home of my own. Here I began to discover my love for all things design and the creative process. After speaking with a few close friends/mentors, I decided to pursue my passion and make a career change. I took Interior Design classes at New York Institute of Art and Design, which helped me get a better understanding for the career I was embarking on. It is amazing how many people question you when making a career change. I dealt with a lot of criticism when telling people that I was thinking about making a career change. My biggest piece of advice is don’t settle, and don’t give in to the personal opinions and critiques of others. Believing in yourself and your dream is the most important thing. If you have the vision, drive, and passion to turn your dreams into reality–no one can say otherwise.

My husband and I founded Laura Design & Co, a Dallas-based, full-service residential interior design firm in 2018. We both work full time together and couldn’t he happier. I am so proud that we are able to give our clients a home that is good for their mind, body and soul. Good design is all about careful thought and planning at the forefront. With a love for natural over synthetic, classic over trendy, and quality over quantity, we believe in elevated, intentional design that is rooted in simplicity. We take this approach into each and every one of our projects with the goal to create timeless, thoughtful interiors for our clients to enjoy & Live Beautifully.

The design of a home is made up of three main categories: Architecture, Finishes, and Furnishings. We work with our clients throughout each of these stages to maintain a beautiful, cohesive aesthetic, whether it is a new build, complete home renovation, or furniture installation. We strive to incorporate fresh, yet classic designs and are always up for a new challenge!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Social media and word of mouth (referrals) have been the driving factors for new business. Satisfied customers and repeat clients are our biggest supporters in the growth of new business. They happily pass along information to friends, family, and acquaintances. Because interior design is so visual, social media has been very beneficial in getting our work out there.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Good communication, and quality work. One of our goals is to always respond to our clients within 24 hours, even if it is something small. This provides a level of trust and “we’ve got this” mentality. We take pride in offering the highest level of service in pursuit of a unique, elevated and intentional design concept.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lauradesignandco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauradesignandco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraDesignandCo/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/lauradesignandco/

Image Credits
Katie Nixon Photography http://www.katienixonphotography.com/ Angelica Marie Photography https://angelicamariephotography.com/ Aura Elizabeth Photography https://auraelizabeth.com/