Benita Goldblatt is an Interior Designer in Orlando, Florida. She is also a partner in an online store that sells interior accessories some of which she designs. She currently splits her time between high-end residential design and running her online business. In our conversation we discuss the need to balance the desire to be creative with the need to make a profit, why she started and online store with her best friend, the big benefits of an internship, using ‘Color Stories’ to help customers choose accessories, and how she finds success in her business life.
Show Notes
Benita Goldblatt
Owner/ Principal BMG Design Studio
Orlando, Florida
Partner – Zestt online store
http://www.bmgdesignstudio.com/
Education:
Bachelors Degree – International Academy of Design & Technology – Tampa, Florida Branch
Size of Design Firm: 1 designer
Project Types: Mostly High-End Residential Design
Commercial
Hospitality
Topics we discuss in our conversation:
Working with Architects
Running two Businesses at the same time
Starting an Online Store
Color Stories – helping clients connect the elements of an interior
Working with a partner – Balancing strengths
The value of an Internship – Real world experience
Defining success in more ways than one
Recommended skills to develop for up and coming designers
Fees:
Hourly consulting
Square footage based fee
Cost plus – on furniture sales
Profit Generators:
Design fees
Mark up on furniture
Product sales
Marketing Strategy:
Business Referrals
Architects
Builders
Preferred Technology:
CAD
Houzz.com
Sketchup
Links & Resources Mentioned:
http://www.bmgdesignstudio.com/