Finding someone in the industry to look up to and to help guide you can be a daunting prospect. This week, we asked eight designers—Amy Aidinis Hirsch, Stacy Becker, Kendra Nicholas Nash, DuVäl Reynolds, Robert Stilin, Ryan Street, Trish Striglos and Sheryl T. McLean—how they found a mentor in the industry and how that connection helped their business.
An Unconventional Path
“My entrepreneurial beginnings in the industry meant I never really worked for anyone else. So that natural built-in mentorship that happens for a lot of designers didn’t happen to me. Instead, I had to find inspirational figures in other ways. I have been and continue to be influenced by designers such as Michael Taylor, Mark Hampton, Axel Vervoordt and Jacques Grange, to name a few. But mostly my industry mentors have been colleagues who have become close friends. Through our many shared social experiences (where design is rarely discussed) we developed a comfort level that naturally grew into a support network. We help each other out a lot and look out for one another. Some of those people in my life are Monique Gibson, Shawn Henderson, Kathryn Ireland, Nicole Gordon and Reinaldo Leandro. Design is ultimately a collaborative pursuit, so a community is just as important and enriching as a formally defined mentorship.” —Robert Stilin, New York
A Family-and-Friend Affair
“I grew up around design: My mother was a commercial interior designer, and my dad sold office furniture—the pieces are considered design classics today. The San Francisco Bay Area interior design community is [also] very collegial, and I am part of a group of interior designers of a range of ages and years in the industry. We meet regularly and talk almost daily. We share experiences, advice and resources … and plenty of laughs and hugs! This warm, supportive group has been essential to my professional development and my aspirations for future success. So beyond a mentor, I am grateful for my peers whose business savvy and design sensibilities I admire.” —Trish Striglos, Eleven11 Interiors, Orinda, California
When You Least Expect It
“Until recently I hadn’t been able to find a mentor in the industry. Ironically, just a couple of weeks ago, I was wrapping up a project with a well-known architect. As the job was nearing completion, he called me and said, ‘I wish I weren’t retiring. I’ve been really impressed by how you and your team operate, and I’d love to do more projects with you.’ He then offered to mentor me. I was beyond thrilled. We’ve met a few times, and he’s really confirmed that the way I run my business, how I organize my team and how we manage our process is spot on. I truly believe that if you manifest what you want, it will become a reality. If you think about the types of clients and jobs you want, you’ll inevitably attract them. I also try to set a good example and be a mentor for my team. I work to empower my employees to do their best work and set them up for success. Inevitably, mistakes happen. When they do, I try to take a moment to find the bright side and turn it into a learning opportunity. Offering encouragement and giving my team direction is the best way to help them succeed. I would love to mentor other early-stage designers and fellow women entrepreneurs. I feel like I have a lot to share—we all need to support each other.” —Kendra Nicholas Nash, Nash Design Group, San Carlos, California
Use Your Network
“I found a mentor while I was still a student attending Texas Tech. I started by reaching out to people in my personal network who were connected to the industry and interested in helping me grow professionally. One of these connections introduced me to my mentor, Jeffrey Berkus. I believe there is always someone in your network who can help lead you to a mentor. I continue to encourage people to build and rely on their personal networks for support—it’s always best to be introduced to someone through a trusted connection who can vouch for you. This approach still drives our firm today, where 90 percent of our business comes from recommendations from past clients and word of mouth.” —Ryan Street, Ryan Street Architects, Austin
An Inside Look
“When I was in design school, I sought a design firm that reflected the aesthetic that I was excited about and started to look around for open positions. I found Holly McKinley, who was a solo designer for the top 1 percent of Seattle’s clientele. Working with her helped me see into a design firm’s most intimate details—client relationships, bookkeeping, the nuances of her design aesthetic and the methodology to a completed project—which was incredibly valuable. There were certainly hard moments when I was humbled along the way, but having a mentor who fostered a supportive relationship and took me alongside her into the depths of design and business ownership is something I will always cherish. We are both still each other’s cheerleaders!” —Stacy Becker, White Label Interiors, Seattle
Organic Connections
“Over the years, I’ve had several mentors, and I still do. For me, these relationships have usually developed naturally—starting as light-hearted, friendly connections that evolve into deeper, more meaningful conversations. I’ve been fortunate to have more experienced designers who’ve shared honest advice with me, without expecting anything in return. These relationships grow through phone calls and texts, where I regularly seek guidance on everything from design to business strategy. It’s important to find someone who is doing what you aspire to do or has already achieved what you want to accomplish.” —DuVäl Reynolds, DuVäl Design, Fairfax, Virginia
The Little Things
“I interned for Naomi Leff early on in my career, during my studies at FIT. When preparing for an installation I was instructed to gather everything a lady would want in a bathroom, right down to the cotton balls and Q-tips. I have always brought this forward in my full-service business. It’s all about the little details that set the stage and make one’s environment better and full of ease. Naomi’s interiors were polished, elegant and elevated. The furniture was authentic, found lighting from all over the world and handcrafted. Her studio opened my eyes to a world of luxury and refinement, the sensibility to luscious materials and the confident use of them.” —Amy Aidinis Hirsch, Amy Aidinis Hirsch Interior Design, Greenwich, Connecticut
More Than Just Words
“I don’t use the term ‘mentor.’ I have relationships. I met my current business coach Kim Kuhteubl after reading her book. I met my past coach Terri Taylor after attending a seminar. I think the most important thing is when you find someone who you think is interesting—whether you read their books, go to their speaking engagements or meet at Market—that you make sure you connect with that person in some way. Follow them on LinkedIn or have a conversation. Find a way to continue the relationship from that initial meeting. ” —Sheryl T. McLean, McLean & Tircuit, Laurel, Maryland
