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

Robin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

If I had to drill down to one central value or “mission” behind what Rob and I do, it would be to create a “return on enjoyment” for the clients we work with. No home renovation or design refresh will recoup 100% of the money invested, which is why a total focus on return on investment isn’t realistic. Instead, for homeowners planning on staying in their homes for at least three to five years, it’s the enjoyment they get out of each space that I consider my mission.

With that in mind, the story behind our mission has many twists and turns. My husband, Rob Mathews, started the business in 1995. I came into his life—and into the business—shortly after that. Our business grew. It grew so much that, in 2018, we rebranded and launched two new lines of service to complement our renovations: home maintenance concierge services and interior design. I’m a registered interior designer and have half a dozen other industry certifications and associations, so the interior design has been run entirely by me.

That story sounds exciting to our friends! And it’s true, we have been able to celebrate wonderful growth and long-term relationships with extraordinary clients. Over 44% of our business is from repeat clients and referrals!

The interesting thing, though, is how it’s none of the business happenings (the challenges or the successes) that come to mind when I think of our story. Instead, I think of the personal hurdles that Rob and I (and our families) have overcome along the way.

Those personal challenges have included:

• Rob’s near-death accident falling off a roof while working
• My diagnosis with and treatment for breast cancer
• My mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer shortly after that
• My father’s diagnosis with prostate cancer after that
• The death of both of Rob’s parents
• The death of my father

Each of these challenges has put new hurdles in our way as we try to get everything out of life that we’ve dreamed of. Each challenge has added fuel to the fire, too, to live our best lives today. I advocate for “return on enjoyment” for my clients because I believe so fundamentally in creating the lifestyle (and the home environment) that support your best life now.

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

I studied interior design in college and have worked in the space for over three decades, so I got into design as early as you can. Since meeting Rob and taking on the design aspects of our extensive renovations, I have had so much opportunity to handle design and selections while really getting to know clients. I take them on a plush journey. What we offer is an experience. Clients feel so guided that stress is completely minimized before, during and after their projects. It’s that experience—having my guidance and Rob’s guidance through every aspect of design and construction—that makes them come back for so many repeat projects!

I am proud of our high return of past clients for new work, because it reflects everything we stand for.

In 2018 when we officially added interior design as a new line of service, it was my idea to add design-only projects. These would be the interior design projects where clients want to refresh or reimagine a space, and maybe move an outlet or two, or to refinish the cabinets, or update the window treatments…but not necessarily to break down walls.

More recently than that, I redefined our interior design services to help our clients see the best ways to apply my knowledge and guidance. Now, I specifically offer:

1. Signature Home Consulting, a less extensive offering than our Signature Luxury Turnkey Interior Design service. It is completely customizable so you get exactly the interior design help you need, when you need it.
2. Signature Turnkey Interior Design, for busy homeowners or vacation rental owners who want me to take care of everything, from design conceptualization down to the tiniest detail, so your home is completely move in ready.
3. Signature Window Treatments, which are completely customizable so you can choose the level of involvement you need from us.
4. Signature Event Styling, where I can help with the most important layout and aesthetic details of a space for a big event, whether in a home or a business.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I recently took a hard look at our social media presence and decided to make a change. We’ve been active on social channels for years—Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and elsewhere—and I’ve been pleased with how much value and content we’ve shared with our followers.

However, I wanted to share more of my personal insights and experience in a space where the people who are REALLY interested could get exclusive access. I wanted to put more of myself (and my taste, and my guidance, and my expertise) on the “page,” if you will.

So I created a private Facebook community where I post about interior design several times a week. I share trends, I share products, I even share 3D renderings from our projects to talk about how to transform a space.

The most rewarding part of this group has been the interaction I get one-on-one with people in the area who truly love design. Some of the members are previous clients, but most are not. People come with questions and ideas, and I love how much people are sharing, seeing and learning.

From a business perspective, this group was also a good idea because it’s provided a closed, VIP-feel environment where I can use my (big) personality and share content of real value. This kind of engagement is exponentially more than we’ve ever had on our other social channels!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Looking back at those personal hurdles I talked about before, it was perhaps the sequence of cancer diagnoses that I have to talk about to answer this question. Getting my own breast cancer diagnosis and then going through cancer treatment was terrible, as many know and anyone can imagine. It was so soon after that, though, that my mom got her diagnosis…and after that, my dad had his prostate cancer diagnosis! I preferred my own suffering over seeing them suffer.

This reminds me of what Rob has said so many times about how he felt while I was in treatment. Rob is a Marine veteran, and after leaving the Marines he became a firefighter, then a paramedic, then a registered nurse flying on a helicopter. So, even though he and I built this great business together, when it came to my breast cancer, he was also my own private nurse!

Rob describes that time as more challenging than any of his own accidents or surgeries. He could help me in many ways, but he couldn’t make the pain go away. He suffered to see me suffer. I came to know that feeling when both of my parents had cancer within the first few years after I completed my treatment.

This chapter of our life together shows resilience on my part and on Rob’s. He was resilient when I struggled to be, and vice versa.

And, once again, business challenges have paled in comparison to these personal challenges. I can’t say it enough: to be a business leader, to create businesses that bring real value to real people, the human element is fundamental! It is this resilience that Rob and I built that, I think, has driven our business acumen and success since.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.signaturehomeservices.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin.burrill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SignatureHmServices
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rburrill/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu9Rb3djN1poxaWbNGvQPTw
• Other: https://www.guildquality.com/pro/Signature-Home-Services

Image Credits
Gary Logan Photography