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

Theresa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

Building my business began with a strong foundation of support from friends and family. Once my LLC was established and my online presence active, I let everyone in my network know about my new venture, encouraging them to follow, like, and share. My aim is to subtly plant a seed, ensuring that when the right moment arrives—either for them or someone they know—my business comes to mind.

Maintaining these connections is essential for growth. While I always appreciate a helping hand or recommendation, I’ve learned to manage expectations and not let perceived setbacks get me down. The key is to relentlessly put in the effort, maintain high standards, and believe that the right doors will open when the time is right.

Crucially, I didn’t just ask for potential opportunities; I actively sought out advice on how to operate my business, leveraging my network’s diverse experiences. This proactive learning approach has been invaluable, proving that you truly uncover what you need to know by engaging with others.

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

Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, as the child of Portuguese immigrants, I often navigated school independently since English was my parents’ second language. This experience, combined with the powerful work ethic they instilled in me, shaped who I am today.

After exploring various majors, I discovered my passion for the creative world of set and fashion design. Naturally, my ultimate goal became Barneys New York, renowned for its iconic window displays. Following graduation from FIDM in Los Angeles, I climbed the corporate ladder, eventually joining the visual team at Barneys’ New York City corporate offices. I rose to become Senior Director of Visual Design, overseeing all company-wide window displays. After 12 incredible years, I said goodbye when Barneys closed its doors in November 2019.

This transition spurred me to launch my own business, leveraging the diverse skills I’d gained across all facets of retail and creative spaces. My expertise spans visual merchandising, store openings and renovations, interior and window displays, pop-up stores, and more. In 2020, I moved to Los Angeles, aiming to expand my opportunities within the broader creative market, including Hollywood, year-round events, film, and interior design.

What fills me with the most pride is how I was able to transform my deep industry knowledge and capabilities into a thriving business of my own.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word-of-mouth has been my most powerful client acquisition tool. Whether it’s existing clients referring me to new ones or friends connecting me with people who need my services, these recommendations are invaluable. I believe building a reputation as a reliable and excellent resource truly flourishes through the quality of work I consistently deliver and the relationships I actively nurture.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My time at Barneys New York was pivotal in establishing my professional standing. Barneys was an industry trailblazer, particularly in experiential design, renowned for its unique ability to elevate retail by intertwining the worlds of art and fashion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theresasilva.work
• Instagram: @output_visual_design
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outputvisualdesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/output-visual-design

Image Credits

MKG
STUDS
CIVIC ENTERTAINMENT
FIDM