We were lucky to catch up with Rebecca Gibbs recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rebecca thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

The industry standard in interior design is for a lead designer to create a tiered team underneath them that all work to produce underneath their name. All projects are credited to the lead designer and all project photos belong to the lead designer. This is a very successful way of running a design studio and I have worked at a design studio that operates in this fashion. What I discovered in my time working at a firm that operated in this way was that the designers having a lack of ownership over their creative property had a lack of energy and enthusiasm. There seemed to be almost an expiration date on how long they lasted in this type of structure. When I opened my design firm in 2012 I knew that when I was ready to grow that I wanted it to be horizontal growth not vertical. I wanted to work alongside talented people and create something that each of us could have full ownership of. I have a team of very talented ladies that have helped me get where I am today. They support me in so many ways to get my design projects successfully completed. The two ladies that started out in a position of assisting me have now after (six years) created their own clientele and we have created a very collaborative environment. If one needs an extra set of eyes on a project or help measuring a job, we are there to support each other. I think it’s rare, but something that was very intentional.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an interior designer and provide everything from floor plan drafting services to decorating. I went to ACU for an interior design ( now called interior architecture ) degree and minored in business, I worked for a local Abilene designer for four years, then a designer in Nashville for one year before starting my own firm in 2012. One year ago I moved my team of four from a bedroom in my home to our new build downtown location at 149 Oak street.

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

Time and consistency. Creating functional spaces for clients and creating friendships with them as well.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I would say that my social media growth has been very slow and steady. I don’t have a huge following, but those that do follow are quality. People who are in the industry and have become friends are a large part of who follows along. I feel that social media serves two purposes for me: a community that has my back, is available as a sounding board & as a quick and current portfolio for potential clients. I don’t post very often or regularly and I don’t have a plan necessarily to create growth there, I just share what is going on currently. It has been a comfortable and fun addition to my life rather than just another thing added to the to-do list. I think finding the difference between the things that work easily into your life and things that feel like a burden is a key. The things that feel like a burden you start creating a structure that brings in other people to support you. That looks different for everyone. Some people hire out social media and I have just found that I don’t mind doing that part myself and even enjoy it.

Contact Info:

• Website: gibbsdesignbuild.com and oakstreetshoppe.com
• Instagram: @rebeccagibbs.design @oakstreetshoppe @oakstreetonfirst