We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Means recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I always knew that I had a passion for all-things creative. I loved to dance and sing as a kid, I am a painter, I love to refurbish old discarded furniture, and when I was younger, I was obsessed with the game Sims, which I actually could care less about the game itself. I was more enthused by building and creating the homes within the little towns.

I learned a lot in school and beyond grateful for all of my instructors (who also were full-time interior designers on top of being a full-time professor) – Props to them! One common piece of advice they all gave us was to not be closed minded to the interior design field and that it is not just one (or two roads) meaning, you can only go into Residential or Commercial design. There are so many different avenues that one can take. For example – one could become a lighting designer, a drafts person, a set designer, or even sales rep for a furnishing or material vendor, etc.

That piece of advice taught me to think outside of the box once I graduated college. I have always been the one to march the beat of my own drum. That’s why I created a unique niche within the design industry and began to take on fellow interior designers as my clients by taking on tasks for their own design clients. By providing them with relief during heavy work loads or even consulting them on their business and design decisions, I serve as an extra set of hands and support for an interior designer, without them having to go through the motions of hiring an in-house employee.

Through this, I have learned way more than I had ever dreamed I could learn. By working with over 30+ interior designers since 2020, I have been able to continuously grow as a business and even as a designer myself. I have been able to be exposed to and work individually under a variety of aesthetics, work flows, organizational strategies and so much more. It’s basically like cramming a variety of experience under my belt, within a short period of time. I believe that through this experience, it has shaped me into an even better solution to all of my clients.

My advice to anyone who is trying to increase their skills in anything is to work under a variety of companies within your field. Maybe not necessarily in the exact form that I did, but (especially if you’re hoping to be eventually a solo business owner) find your first job with a company that might be totally different from where your internship was. Then after that, gain more experience under a new company that’s entirely different from both of those. You’ll be able to pick a part pieces of each companies that you like and dislike to eventually shape the strongest business that you can.

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

I offer virtual interior design solutions for everyone including the public as well as fellow interior designers.

We are so fortunate to be living in a time where we have access to so many things, right at our finger tips. I strive on helping others which is why I wanted to continue my interior design projects on a virtual basis, for anyone, anywhere.

I take on interior design projects that could be as small as creating a design concept & provide furniture space planning, to full home remodels.

Additionally, I cater to fellow interior designers and deliver services that include drafting packages through CAD drawings,, 3d modeling/renderings, design presentation packages, business consulting, kitchen and bath space planning, and much more!

I love that I am able to offer services to a wide variety of people and from all over, all within the comfort of my own home, as I have a 2 year old daughter and a 6 month old son. The majority of my clients are from all different states from the west to east coast, including Canada!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I have two amazing ladies who I currently work with – Antonia and Kira.

Antonia is based out of Romania. We originally met through Instagram, as she was in the process of launching a business that is similar to mine (assisting other interior designers as a VDA, Virtual Design Assistant). When I was almost due with my 2nd child, I realized that I needed to come up with a solution for my active clients, so they could have someone to rely on while I took some family bonding time off (since our country doesn’t provide paid services for everyone once you give birth…**sigh**). Antonia was super excited and welcoming to the idea of me taking her on and quickly training her on my brand standards, work flow and eventually introducing her to all of my active clients for her to take over while I am away. She has been a total life saver and still works with me today.

Kira and I met in school, as we were both pursuing our interior design degrees. She also happens to live about 10 minutes away from me. Her and I both have our own separate interior design businesses. We work together, similar to how I assist my VDA (trade professional) clients. Example – she gets a design project and I take on whatever task she needs support on, and vise versa. She is truly the ying to my yang and she is so much fun to work with.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Understanding the need and providing the solution. Once you have a potential client’s attention, prove to them that you’re the best candidate to be their solution, by having a strong business backend in place – organization, great communication, being transparent, having a welcome package, etc. It is also extremely important to be personable. Although being professional is a must, being able to see eye to eye with a perspective client and gaining their trust, is crucial.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melissameansinteriors.com
• Instagram: @melissameans.interiors.vda & @melissameans.interiors

Image Credits
Brandon Means @beansvisuals