We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mark Hermogeno. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mark below.

Mark, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

In 2004 UC Berkeley extension opened their Interior Design Certificate program in the high rise we lived in in San Francisco. I took an Intro to Interior Design class and I was hooked. Previously I was in the retail furniture side of things as a designer, visual merchandiser and manager for stores such as Smith & Hawken, The GAP, The Disney Store and RH where I got experience in the commercial side of design. When I went back to school for interior design, teachers knew about my background and encouraged me to try working with clients for further experience. So I decided to place an ad on Craigslist that stated I was a design student looking to work with clients. I immediately got 2 replies: the first was a decorating job for a home in Union City, CA. This project went well and I considered it practice until I met my second client who I consider to be my very first client. The project was a ground up new construction home coming in at 3400 square feet. I was tasked to design everything from a kitchen to all bathrooms and also included custom furniture, drapery and bedding. The clients trusted me so much they even put me on as a signer on their American Express card. The nearly 1 year project ended with a fully custom new home. Who knew I would find such a client on Craigslist!!!

Mark, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in the California Arts and Crafts capital of South Pasadena, Mark’s interest in architectural design and furniture was influenced by Greene & Greene designs and California Bungalows that have been so popular since the early 20th century. His diverse background, that includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology in Material Cultures, attendance at the University of California Berkeley Extension’s Interior Design Certificate Program and 10 plus years in retail visual merchandising with companies such as GAP Inc, The Disney Store Inc, Restoration Hardware and Smith & Hawken, helps Mark design functional and beautiful spaces that are ideal places to work, shop and live in. Since 2005, award winning and published, San Francisco-based, full service interior design firm HERMOGENO DESIGNS (HD) has created inspiring custom residential and commercial spaces all over California. Specializing in mid-range to high-end remodel, renovation, new construction and tenant improvement projects principal designer Mark Hermogeno works with client from design conception through construction to decorating and final move-in. Mark, has lent his touch to an array of projects including full custom, contemporary new
construction homes in a San Francisco suburb, a modern hip hair salon in San Francisco’s Financial District, a vineyard inspired ballroom dance studio in one of Northern California’s wine valleys, a low cost senior housing development in Sonoma, an executive office for a creative director in Downtown Los Angeles to a medical office in So Cal. No matter the project, HERMOGENO DESIGNS creates unique, stylish and inspiring interiors as
diverse as its clients. HERMOGENO DESIGNS’ holistic approach to design is one that carries through from one
project to the next. Each design uses high function as a foundation and is balanced with aesthetics to appeal to clients’ visual and sensory experiences. Each of our projects are custom designed to satisfy that particular clients aesthetic style and use. To ensure the end product matches our vision, HD uses the same team of industry professionals and artisans that work closely with the designer and the clients to unveil a space with no detail overlooked. Specializing in, but not limited to, full service Design-Build projects, HD’s team includes architects, licensed & insured general & painting contractors, faux finisher/decorative painter and even custom fabricators of cabinetry, case good & wood furniture, upholstered seating, window treatments and soft goods that keep a consistent high level of detail work and service from one project to the next.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The big pivot in my life was when I decided to leave retail, which I had been working for about 10-11 years, go back to school and then opening my own business. It was terrifying to say the least. I had only be in San Francisco a couple of years before making this decision. Without the support of my partner Jordan and my parents I think it would have been really difficult. All this happened within months. It was stressful but well worth it to build my business to what is today.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The big shift from working retail full time to transitioning back to a student before starting my own business was stressful enough. But a couple of years before deciding to upend my life I was dealt a devastating diagnosis, I learned I was HV positive. I was navigating medical care and other related issues before delving into interior design. At one point I had gotten really sick and wasn’t sure about proceeding with interior design. But I told myself I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from what I wanted to do and that is exactly what I did. Instead of feeling sorry for myself I picked myself up and kept my eye on the prize: my own business. It has now been 20 years since my HIV diagnosis and 18 years since I started my design business and I wouldn’t want it any other way!!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hermogenodesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermogenodesigns/
• Facebook: book.com/HERMOGENO-DESIGNS-182131700108
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com›in›hermogenodesigns

Image Credits
Michael Anthony of 8X10 Proofs