Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lucy Fry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lucy, thanks for joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new venture – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?

Jason and I were both just getting our careers in architecture off the ground after graduating from UF. We were newlyweds, living in a basement apartment in an old house in Midtown Atlanta. We both had full time jobs at our respective firms as entry level designers. I was working insane hours at ASD, collaborating mostly on interior architecture projects for law firms and financial call centers. It was fast paced and crazy and so much fun. A big part of my job was specifying finishes and furniture so I got a lot of attention from sales reps – so many fancy lunches and dinners. We even spent a weekend in Maine with a rep. It was awesome. Jason was working with a specialized team within Cooper Cary designing master plans for cities around the US. He was also working insane hours. Going in on weekends and working late during the week. He started putting together these super cool Flash presentations for his team. For 2000, they were cutting edge. He integrated music and video with drawings and renderings and completely blew the competition’s PowerPoint presentations out of the water.

Then, one night at a dinner with a Constantine Carpet sales rep (and too many cocktails) we started talking about ways that she could up her lunch-n-learn game. She wanted something different. So I told her about these Flash presentations Jason was doing. She was super excited and we made it happen. Jason went to the mill and took video footage and photos. He spent so many hours late at night putting together this presentation. When it was finally done, we showed the rep, and she was so blown away that she planned a party around it at the showroom with the owner of the company. At the end, he decided to make it his global lunch-n-learn presentation. A couple months later, he asked us if we could build him a website. The fee for that Constantine Carpet website was more than Jason’s annual salary – so he bailed on architecture to start Biscuit in that basement apartment in Midtown. And here we are 20 years later.

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

This year marks our 20th year in business as Biscuit Studios. Saying that makes me feel a deep sense of pride – knowing that we took a leap – bailed on our jobs as architects – and were able to start this agency from our basement. And more importantly, that it’s still thriving today. I think the relationships we have made with our clients over the years is the best part of what we do. We have worked with some really interesting, smart, and creative people.

Sometimes it’s the project that inspires us to solve the problem and do good design work – but more often than that, it’s the people. We really try to connect to the person or the team and get to know them. That relationship is essential to having a successful collaborative experience. I believe that if there’s a connection – it doesn’t matter what the project is or what industry its in – the results will be 1000 times better.

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

Repeat business and referrals – 100%. Our mentality is that every project we work on is an opportunity for the next project or next relationship – so it’s imperative that we make the process as fun, seamless, and professional as we can. Word of mouth is the best way to get new clients.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I don’t know if it’s my age or what I do for a living, but I don’t really have a “creative” hobby or outlet. That space is filled daily with projects in the studio. I don’t have the need to take up knitting or candle making – although I wouldn’t mind making a few candles with some friends over a bottle a wine. But the creative part of my soul is satisfied – at least right now – through the work that I do everyday at Biscuit.

Working with non-profits, and helping them communicate their mission and vision takes that feeling of fulfillment to a whole other level. Collaborating on designs that can potentially improve the lives of people on a deeper level – that’s where the rewarding feelings happen. Knowing that our creativity is making an impact on historically marginalized groups or communities – THAT is what truly makes being a designer rewarding!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://biscuitstudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucy.angel.fry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucyangelfry/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyangelfry/

Image Credits
Edie Butler, Ana Coello-Amado