Today’s Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight shines on Katie Zimmerman, the creative force behind Zimmerman Interiors. Katie’s transition from a corporate career to running a top-tier design firm highlights her dedication to turning houses into stunning, functional homes. Learn about her unique process and the passion driving Zimmerman Interiors.
Hi, Katie! 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?
At Zimmerman Interiors, we specialize in personalized interior design solutions for clients seeking to transform their homes into stunning and functional spaces. Our clients are typically busy professionals who have a love for aesthetically pleasing spaces but need to balance that with the functionality required for their families. We make remodeling, renovating, and building easy with our signature three-phase and seven-step process that ensures we never miss a beat!
Our approach goes beyond just style and advisory; we bring detailed organization and our superpower of communication to provide clients with a top-level focus on status and updates, ensuring the best customer experience. Ever worked with a contractor who doesn't show up for days, leaving you in the dark about what's next? We've all been there. Our process, combined with our commitment to communication, means we rarely have clients reaching out to ask what's happening next. If they do, I like to say we haven’t done our job.
We serve clients by offering a full menu of interior design services, from consulting on paint and furniture selections to turnkey, move-in-ready new home construction and remodeling, down to styling the shelves and lighting the candles. Through our brick-and-mortar studio, we also offer help with small projects and room refreshes if full service is more than you need.
Through detailed consultations and collaborative design sessions, we ensure that every project reflects the unique personality and vision of the client. And back to our superpowers—think of us as your design therapist. Don’t be shocked at the level of detail we go into during our onboarding to truly bring out how you want to feel and live in your new space. It goes way beyond a beautiful photo or identifying your design style.
For homeowners, our work transforms houses into homes where families can create lasting memories and enjoy their everyday lives in style and comfort. We take pride in our ability to bring our clients' visions to life, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply meaningful and functional.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
Ironically, it wasn't when I formed my LLC or even when I landed my first job. The moment I truly felt like I transitioned from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur was when I was laid off from my corporate job. Faced with a pivotal decision—to return to the corporate world or to venture out on my own—I chose the latter.
At first, the idea was daunting. However, I soon found myself signing clients left and right, seemingly out of nowhere. It was then that I realized I wasn't looking for a job anymore; I was no longer unemployed. I was self-employed, and there was no going back. The momentum was exhilarating.
This turning point led to significant growth. I hired my first employee and started looking for an office outside of my house. Each of these steps cemented the fact that I was building something real and sustainable. I wasn’t just dreaming about being an entrepreneur—I was actually doing it!
The experience taught me that sometimes, the most challenging situations can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a space where I could fully realize my potential and passion. This journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and it’s been amazing to see how far Zimmerman Interiors has come.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
For 20 years, I was a high performer in my corporate fashion career, consistently praised for my hard work and dedication. I was regularly given more scope and responsibility, so it never occurred to me that I would unexpectedly lose my job due to corporate cutbacks. When it happened, it was a shock.
The security of a steady salary and benefits was something I had always relied on. I don’t know if I would have ever been brave enough to make the leap on my own, no matter how badly I wanted it. But being laid off forced me to confront a decision: return to the corporate world or finally take the entrepreneurial plunge.
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 Zimmerman Interiors is 3D renderings. This is a debated topic in the industry; many smaller firms, and even some larger ones, either don't offer them or outsource them due to the time they take, often charging clients extra for the service. However, I have always believed that visualization is key for helping my clients truly see and get excited about their projects.
That’s why I’ve made 3D renderings a standard part of my design packages. For me, it’s not just about presenting a perfect image but about bringing the vision to life in a way that everyone can understand and feel excited about. Using the Mydoma Visualizer, I can quickly create photorealistic renderings that help clients reach a consensus and establish a shared goal for the project.
This tool has been indispensable in my design process. It allows clients to visualize the end result with clarity, reducing uncertainties and enhancing their confidence in the project. It also facilitates better communication and collaboration, ensuring that we’re all on the same page from the outset. The ability to see a realistic preview of their space makes decision-making easier and more enjoyable for clients, leading to higher satisfaction and smoother project execution.
In essence, the Mydoma Visualizer has contributed significantly to our success by bridging the gap between imagination and reality, fostering clear communication, and ensuring that clients are thrilled with their design journey and final results.
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.
Since I was five years old, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I pursued this passion by studying design and product development in school, which led me to a nearly 20-year career in the corporate world. I started in apparel design, crafting beautiful garments for the first half of my career. Then, I transitioned into visual merchandising, which opened my eyes to the retail experience beyond just the product. This role taught me how customers interact with and experience a brand.
Later, I had the opportunity to work for companies in the apparel industry that owned their own manufacturing processes, unlike the more common model of designing and importing. This fully vertical integration—from designing fabrics to producing the end product—was a vastly different experience, dealing with a more commoditized product and catering to a much broader consumer base. During this time, I took on roles in merchandising, global licensing, and tradeshows, each of which provided unique challenges and learning experiences.
All these twists and turns in my career were invaluable in preparing me for the success of my own business. In my entrepreneurial journey, I now wear many hats: accounting, marketing and strategic planning, sourcing and vendor relations, client communications, social media management, and efficiency and process optimization. Each role I held in my corporate career contributed to my understanding and expertise in these areas.
The lesson here is that every experience, even those that seem unrelated at the time, can provide critical skills and insights. My background in fashion design and visual merchandising, combined with my knowledge of the retail experience and manufacturing processes, has uniquely equipped me to navigate the multifaceted world of interior design and styling. This holistic understanding allows me to deliver comprehensive, well-rounded services to my clients, ensuring their spaces are not only beautiful but also functional and reflective of their personal style.
In essence, my journey has been a testament to the power of diverse experiences and the importance of adaptability. Every role, every pivot, and every lesson learned along the way has shaped my approach to business, ultimately preparing me for the dynamic and rewarding world of entrepreneurship.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
While it might not be considered an unconventional strategy, understanding and leveraging my strengths has significantly impacted my business. According to the StrengthsFinder assessment, my top strengths are Self-Believer, Time Keeper, Commander, Brainstormer, and Deliverer. These strengths shape how I approach challenges and opportunities, often leading me to challenge the status quo—a trait that might make me a nightmare in some corporate environments but is perfect for entrepreneurship.
I've often heard phrases like "This is the way everybody does it" or "You don't want to do it this way; it will be too hard." While it's essential to respect the knowledge and learnings of those before us, it's also crucial not to take everything at face value. I've learned that many people haven't tried different ways, and clients often appreciate my approach precisely because it's different.
1. Self-Believer: This strength helps me bring confidence to my clients, even if the future is uncertain. Believing in my ability to find solutions has allowed me to navigate uncharted waters and reassure clients that we're on the right path.
2. Time Keeper: I set clear timelines and deadlines because I dislike surprises and love to plan. This organizational skill has been invaluable in ensuring projects stay on track and clients are always informed about what to expect next.
3. Commander: Taking charge and directing people is second nature to me. This strength has enabled me to lead my team effectively and ensure everyone is aligned with our goals and timelines.
4. Brainstormer: Constantly on the lookout for new concepts and ideas, I connect seemingly unconnected things to find fresh perspectives. This creativity has helped me develop unique design solutions that set Zimmerman Interiors apart in the market.
5. Deliverer: I take responsibility for every aspect of my business, from accounting to marketing, strategic planning, sourcing, vendor relations, client communications, social media management, and process efficiency. This holistic approach ensures that no detail is overlooked.
I would say my strengths and my inclination to challenge traditional methods have been key to my business success. They allow me to explore unconventional strategies and find unique solutions that benefit my clients and set Zimmerman Interiors apart from the competition.
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 knew sooner is that you have to get comfortable with the unknown. As a planner and timekeeper, this was tough for me to accept. I love setting timelines and having everything mapped out, but the reality of entrepreneurship is that unpredictability is part of the journey.
Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is the only way to keep moving forward. You have to embrace uncertainty and be willing to take risks if you want to see big rewards. There will be moments when things don’t go as planned, and that’s okay. It’s in those moments of discomfort that growth happens and new opportunities arise.
Early on, I struggled with the fear of the unknown. But over time, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone was essential for my business to thrive. This mindset shift allowed me to explore new ideas, take bold actions, and ultimately achieve my goals faster than I ever thought possible.
So, to all aspiring or newer entrepreneurs: Embrace the unknown. Take risks. Trust in your ability to navigate through uncertainty. It might be uncomfortable at times, but it’s the only way to truly grow and succeed in the entrepreneurial world.
Want to go deeper into Katie's work? Find more about her in the following links
- Visit Zimmerman Interiors' Website zimmermaninteriors.com
- Follow Zimmerman Interiors on Instagram @zimmerman_interiors
- Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: Katie Zimmerman
- Follow Zimmerman Interiors on TikTok @zimmermaninteriors
