Recently, we’ve been faced with some economic uncertainty on many fronts. And though this can be unsettling for many designers, I am here to remind you that your creative expertise gives you a leg-up on any challenges that may befall you. Instead of panicking, this is the time to push your creative boundaries with more cost-effective design solutions, or to think outside of the box for ways to reduce overhead without sacrificing your integrity, quality and craft.
Open Yourself to Creative Possibilities
While I have many tips to help you succeed in these uncertain times, being open to possibility and exploration is key! There are so many hidden ways to cut costs that you may not even realize. For example, how many subscription services have you signed up for that you hardly use but are still paying for monthly? They can be easy to forget when you’ve got a more than full roster of projects and money flowing in, but canceling these hidden subscription services could save you thousands of dollars annually. Or, maybe you are used to sourcing from very specific vendors and have not explored other avenues.
Look at getting creative in where to source. It doesn’t have to be the usual places–for example, you can strategically leverage consignment as an opportunity to find quality goods at lesser investments. Remember, you are first and foremost a creative problem solver. That’s your highest and best value. Never doubt that. Everything is possible when you apply creative thought to it.
Proceed with Optimism and Preparation
Changing your mindset towards these economically uncertain times can help your business to thrive. While large design investments are fun to work with, smaller investments genuinely require greater creativity limits and create creative challenges. Embrace those challenges! I know you might not be where you want to be, but getting prepared and being open to change will help you to feel more confident and optimistic.
This might be the time to diversify your services as gateways to more clients. If your primary offering is designing for new builds, it might be time to begin considering remodels as well. You could even set your clients up with monthly or quarterly design refresh subscription services, where you make yourself available to maintain your clients’ designs rather than beginning new projects from scratch each time. There are many options out there to try–you just need to be open to the possibilities.
When you’re ready to take your design practice to the next level, explore your expert coaching and training options with Melissa Galt. To catch the entire podcast episode LISTEN HERE.
