Happy New Year! To kick off 2025, we asked five designers—Maria Khouri, Michelle Lynne, Stephanie Martin, Blair Moore and Susie Novak—what a successful year looks like to them.
Surpass Expectations
“A successful year, for me, is measured by the ability to bring my clients’ visions to life in a way that exceeds their expectations. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see a concept evolve into a space that truly reflects their personality and needs. Equally important is the collaboration with my talented team and partners. Their creativity, dedication and hard work are vital to every project’s success. It’s the synergy between my clients, my team and our collaborators that truly defines a year of success in my business.” —Maria Khouri, Maria Khouri Interiors, San Francisco
Measure in Storytelling
“Success to us is rooted in the transformative impact we create for our clients and the spaces we design. We don’t measure success by revenue or recognition—those metrics often feel fleeting and can leave you in perpetual pursuit of ‘what’s next.’ Instead, we focus on the stories our work tells. Preserving the historical integrity of a home is central to our mission, whether it’s restoring an original feature that connects generations or seamlessly integrating modern touches that honor the past. Equally, we find success in the relationships we cultivate. From artisans and craftspeople to our collaborators, the partnerships we build often outlast the projects themselves. For instance, this year, we worked with a talented local artisan from [New England] to craft hand-painted tiles inspired by the regional florals and foliage surrounding our client’s home in Nashville. These tiles seamlessly brought the essence of the outdoors into the interior, adding a uniquely personal and meaningful touch. When our work inspires joy, connection and timelessness, that’s how we know we’ve succeeded.” —Blair Moore, Moore House Design, Fall River, Massachusetts
Level Up
“This year, success has been about growth, creativity and delivering an amazing service. We took major strides forward, leveling up our project management and organization. We’ve fine-tuned our systems and schedules, so we’re able to provide an even higher level of service to our clients. We also invested in a fantastic consultant who helped elevate our construction drawings—transforming something good into something great! Our clients have been incredibly trusting and appreciative of our work, which feels so rewarding. Plus, the projects themselves have been deeply fulfilling creatively. A huge highlight? Moving into a larger, more inspiring office space that reflects how much we’ve grown. While there’s always room for improvement, 2024 has been a year of real progress, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead!” —Susie Novak, Susie Novak Interiors, Oakland, California
Hit Those Milestones
“As an interior designer and business coach, I know that measuring a successful year goes beyond beautiful projects—it’s about building a thriving business that supports your creativity and goals. Success starts with achieving financial milestones: hitting revenue targets, pricing your services to reflect your value, and ensuring your projects are profitable and aligned with your vision. It’s also about creating efficient systems and processes that allow you to work smarter, not harder, while freeing up time to focus on your passion. But it doesn’t stop there. A successful year means attracting your ideal clients, strengthening relationships, and building a brand that positions you as the go-to designer in your niche. Whether designing for my clients or mentoring other designers, my mission is to create a business that’s as fulfilling as it is successful.” —Michelle Lynne, ML Interiors Group, Addison, Texas
Work-Life Balance
“Measuring a successful year as an entrepreneur often revolves around profit margins, project completions and meeting targets. However, as a designer focused on crafting experiences and evoking emotions, my criteria for success are quite different. When I reflect on the past year, I consider the balance I achieved between my professional ambitions and family life. I think about how far I pushed myself to stretch creatively and the positive impact our designs have had on our clients’ lives and homes. While profitability is essential for sustaining our business and pursuing our passion, true success—and the feeling of fulfillment—comes from the harmony we cultivated between work and life, the peace we nurtured and the joy we shared. Ultimately, the heart of design lies not just in aesthetics, but in the meaningful experiences we create along the way.” —Stephanie Martin, Stephanie Martin Interior Design, Calgary, Alberta
