new beginnings: developing a consulting practice

I often wondered what would it be like to have my own consulting practice, but it took a pandemic for me to make it a reality. Like many, I have had more time to consider what suits me best both personally and professionally, but the uncertainty in the world up until recently impacted my ability to proceed.

I knew I still wanted to work in the architecture and design industry, where I've spent over 25 years, but was uncertain about the potential consulting services I could offer not knowing if and when firms would return to the office. As a product specialist, also overseeing resource library operations for A&D firms, it involves a physical presence. I was encouraged by many to leverage my industry and product knowledge amongst a professional network I have cultivated throughout my career to explore new options. Also having practiced interior design, I understand how products have to be considered and documented to be successful on a project. The company name resource + design was a very organic process and reflects the breadth of my career in resource management as a product specialist, as well as a Certified Interior Designer.

With the industry slowly coming back online the types of services I could offer began to evolve. When I initially filed my business, I was exploring using my blog and social media as a platform to educate the A&D industry about due diligence when considering products, which is also now relevant to consumers given retail and e-commerce options that were once only available "to the trade". This would help develop my social media presence and gain the confidence of manufacturers in order to hopefully become a brand ambassador for commercial products as an emerging market, as well as to be engaged for advisory services. In pursuit, I enrolled in a social media content development course through NYU's School of Professional Studies to become more savvy and develop content I could use to launch my company and brand.

Throughout my career, I've indirectly worked with manufacturers as an advisor to review products and/or resources, as well as provide feedback. I've often had very limited time to provide advisory services, due to time constraints as a billable hourly employee and project commitments. Through consulting, I can be more engaged on a contractual basis. While I have ideas about types of services that may be of interest I am most curious to hear about the services manufacturers feel would be most beneficial.

In addition to providing manufacturer services, it was important that I stay connected to my network of people, products, and solutions to fulfill my professional passions. Up until recently, the future of product expertise and resource management remained in question given the uncertainty of a return to the workplace, however, architects and designers are returning creating opportunities that months ago were unimaginable. I look forward to now providing part-time consulting resource management services to a firm(s), as I also explore other avenues within the industry to give myself a more well-rounded experience, which is very important to me.

I am looking forward to this journey collaborating with many in our industry, with education as an underlying thread to all endeavors as I engage with architecture and design professionals, manufacturers, and consumers. I am learning something new every day as I operate my business, engage in social media/marketing/ business development, and interface with clients for long and short-term assignments. It is exciting with many uncertain moments, but operating my own business is truly what I want to pursue at this stage of my life and career. Thank you to my family, friends, and industry colleagues for all of their support and I hope my story can be a source of inspiration and encouragement to anyone considering starting their own business.

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#interiordesign #architecture #consultant #FF&Eproductspecialist