In this edition of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight, we're thrilled to introduce Leila Fatalian, the visionary founder of OneTa Design, an interior design firm that specializes in creating personalized, functional, and aesthetically stunning living spaces for homeowners. Leila's dedication to blending aesthetics with practicality has made a profound impact on her clients, enhancing their quality of life and turning their homes into true sanctuaries.
Hi, Leila! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?
I have an interior design business named OneTa Design. At OneTa Design, we serve homeowners who are looking to transform their living spaces into beautiful, functional, and personalized environments. We cater to clients who appreciate the blend of aesthetics and practicality, ensuring their homes reflect their unique tastes and lifestyles.
We offer a range of services, including full-scale interior design, space planning, and project management. We work closely with our clients from concept to completion, ensuring that every detail is tailored to their needs. Our approach is highly collaborative, involving clients in every step of the process to ensure their vision is realized.
The impact of our work goes beyond just aesthetics. We create spaces that enhance our clients' quality of life, providing them with a home that feels comfortable, inviting, and truly theirs. By improving the functionality and beauty of their living spaces, we help our clients enjoy their homes more fully and create lasting memories with their loved ones.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
The moment I truly felt like I transitioned from a wantrepreneur to an entrepreneur was when I secured my first major project. This project was a full-scale home redesign, and it required me to leverage all my skills, from creative design to project management and client relations.
It was a pivotal moment because it validated my business model and approach. Up until then, I had been building my portfolio, learning the ropes, and trying to establish a foothold in the market. But landing this project showed me that my work was resonating with clients and generating positive feedback.
This project also required me to coordinate with various vendors, and meet strict deadlines, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Successfully completing it gave me the confidence and assurance that I could handle the complexities of running a business and delivering exceptional results.
That moment of delivering the finished project to a delighted client made me realize that I had truly made the leap from an aspiring entrepreneur to a fully-fledged business owner. It was tangible proof of my capabilities and the potential for OneTa Design to grow and make a meaningful impact in the world of interior design.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
One particular moment stands out: a close friend visited my home and was so impressed by the design that they insisted I help them with their own home renovation. The joy and fulfillment I felt during that project were unlike anything. I realized that interior design was not just a hobby, but a true passion that I wanted to pursue professionally.
Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?
One tool that has been a game-changer for my business is Notion. Notion is an all-in-one workspace that combines note-taking, project management, task management, and database features. It has significantly contributed to the success of OneTa Design in several ways.
Notion is highly customizable, allowing me to tailor workspaces to fit the unique needs of each project. I can create custom templates for different types of projects, use various views (like kanban boards, calendars, and tables), and organize information in a way that best suits my workflow. This flexibility makes Notion an adaptable tool for various stages of the design process.
We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.
I had taken on a large-scale renovation for a client who wanted a complete transformation of their home, including a modern Mediterranean-themed living room, a custom T-shaped kitchen island, and a multicultural conversation room. Initially, I was excited but soon realized that I had underestimated the complexity and scope of the project. Coordinating with multiple vendors, managing the timeline, and ensuring the client’s vision was being met proved to be more demanding than I had anticipated.
During this stressful period, I learned the importance of having backup plans and the necessity of clear, proactive communication with both the client and vendors. I learned to anticipate potential problems and develop strategies to mitigate them before they impacted the project. More importantly, I learned the value of maintaining a positive relationship with clients through transparency and regular updates, ensuring they felt involved and reassured despite the challenges.
This pivot point strengthened my problem-solving skills and helped me develop a more structured and strategic approach to my work. As a result, my business grew stronger, and I became more confident in taking on complex projects, knowing that I had the resilience and skills to see them through successfully.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
One unconventional strategy I employed that significantly impacted my interior design business was the incorporation of personalized storytelling into each project. Instead of following the typical design process, I began to delve deeply into my clients' personal histories, passions, and dreams to create spaces that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply meaningful and reflective of their identities.
For example, for a client who had traveled extensively, I designed a living room that showcased pieces from different parts of the world, each with its own story and significance. This not only made the space unique and personalized but also created a profound emotional connection for the client. This approach required more time and effort upfront, but the results were transformative. Clients were not just satisfied with a beautifully designed space; they were emotionally connected to it and felt truly at home.
This storytelling approach set my business apart from others and led to a surge in referrals and repeat clients. People appreciated the extra effort and the deeply personal touch, and they were eager to share their experiences with friends and family.
By focusing on the personal stories behind the design, I was able to create spaces that were not only visually stunning but also rich in meaning and significance. This unconventional strategy of intertwining design with personal storytelling significantly impacted my business, driving growth and client satisfaction to new heights.
What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?
One piece of advice I wish I had known sooner, and that I now share with aspiring or newer entrepreneurs, is the importance of building a strong network of mentors and peers. When I first started my interior design business, I tried to tackle everything on my own, thinking that sheer determination and hard work would be enough to succeed. However, I quickly learned that having a support system of experienced mentors and like-minded peers can make a world of difference.
Having mentors who have been through the entrepreneurial journey can provide invaluable insights and guidance. They can help you avoid common pitfalls, offer solutions to challenges you may not have thought of, and provide encouragement when times get tough. I found that seeking out successful entrepreneurs in the design industry, as well as other fields, gave me perspectives that were both enlightening and actionable.
If I could go back, I would have started building my network from day one. My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to actively seek out mentors, join industry groups, attend networking events, and engage with peers. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people whose work you admire; most successful entrepreneurs are happy to share their knowledge and experiences.
Want to go deeper into Leila's work? Check out the following links:
- Visit OneTa Design's Website: onetadesign.com
- Follow Leila on Instagram @onetadesign_leilafatalian
