NEW: We're now partnered with Catapult x UPenn as a content partner! Learn more about our partnership here.
Aug. 9, 2024

906: Transforming PASSION into a business and making the entrepreneurial leap w/ Leila Fatalian

Ever thought about radically shifting careers to follow your passion? On this episode, hear the remarkable story of Leila Fatalian, an inspiring entrepreneur who transitioned from a supply chain management expert to a successful interior designer. Leila opens up about how her entrepreneurial spirit was sparked by her parents' business endeavors and how encouragement from friends and family led her to create OneTa Design. Her journey is a powerful testament to the courage it takes to pursue one's dreams and the magic that happens when you step out of your comfort zone.

Leila takes us through the nuts and bolts of transforming a passion into a thriving business. Discover the importance of continual learning, the art of balancing client needs with personal creative vision, and how critical discovery calls are in understanding what clients truly desire. Leila also sheds light on how her background in supply chain management prepared her for the logistical challenges of running a design business. With insights on planning, project management, and vendor relations, she provides a blueprint for delivering stress-free design experiences.

For those looking to revamp their spaces, Leila shares practical advice on turning an extra bedroom into a functional home office. Learn how technology, like 3D design software and virtual consultations, has revolutionized interior design, offering clients a seamless experience despite geographical barriers. Finally, Leila opens up about the unexpected challenges of entrepreneurship and the story behind her unique business name, OneTa Design. This episode is packed with invaluable insights and heartfelt stories that will resonate with aspiring entrepreneurs and design enthusiasts alike.

ABOUT LEILA

Leila Fatalian spent over a decade in the supply chain industry before making a bold transition into the world of interior design. This new adventure began unexpectedly after moving to a new home, where her natural flair for design not only created a space she loved but also drew admiration from friends and family. Their compliments and requests for design assistance sparked a realization in her: she had a hidden passion waiting to be explored.

Leila decided to pause her corporate career to fully embrace this creative path. This leap into the unknown was not just about learning to select the perfect color palettes but also about personal and professional growth. Starting her own business has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey that combines her love for design with the joy of entrepreneurship. Now, Leila spends her days transforming homes into expressions of personality and style, finding immense satisfaction in seeing her clients' faces light up when they see their new spaces.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Chapters

00:00 - Entrepreneurial Journey Into Interior Design

12:21 - Interior Design and Business Success

19:47 - Designing Spaces

24:32 - Entrepreneurial Insights in Interior Design

34:59 - Supporting Guests Cover Production Costs

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:00.119 --> 00:00:01.143
Hey, what is up?

00:00:01.143 --> 00:00:04.490
Welcome to this episode of the Entrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast.

00:00:04.490 --> 00:00:09.050
As always, I'm your host, brian LoFermento, and you know what I love about today's episode.

00:00:09.050 --> 00:00:18.931
How many of us and how many times in life has someone said to you oh, you're so good at that, you should charge others and do that for other people, or you should start a business about that.

00:00:18.931 --> 00:00:24.472
Well, today's entrepreneur is incredible at what she does, and her story is right along those lines.

00:00:24.472 --> 00:00:34.841
She not only had an incredible career up to the point of her starting her business, but she just took the plunge and she started serving others with what is a really intimate and awesome service that.

00:00:34.841 --> 00:00:41.929
I've gone all through her work and it's so clear that not only does she love what she does, but her clients absolutely love the personal touch that she puts into it.

00:00:41.929 --> 00:00:44.103
So let me tell you all about today's guest.

00:00:44.103 --> 00:00:46.207
Her name is Layla Fatalian.

00:00:46.546 --> 00:00:57.313
Layla spent over a decade in the supply chain world before taking a leap of faith into interior design a huge career shift and one that I'm so excited to hear about.

00:00:57.313 --> 00:01:01.728
The adventure began for her unexpectedly moving into her new home.

00:01:01.728 --> 00:01:08.546
Her flair for design just didn't create a space that she loved, but it also caught the eyes of friends and family.

00:01:08.546 --> 00:01:15.709
Their compliments and requests for design help sparked a realization that she had another passion waiting to be explored.

00:01:15.709 --> 00:01:17.472
So Layla went for it.

00:01:17.472 --> 00:01:22.430
She decided to pass or pause on her corporate career to fully embrace this new creative path.

00:01:22.430 --> 00:01:27.132
This leap, for her into the unknown wasn't just about learning to select the perfect color palettes.

00:01:27.132 --> 00:01:30.362
It was also about creating personal and professional growth.

00:01:30.724 --> 00:01:38.194
Starting her own business has been challenging, which it is for all of us, but it also combines her love for design with a joy of entrepreneurship.

00:01:38.194 --> 00:01:48.832
Now she spends her days transforming homes into expressions of personality and style, and for her, nothing beats the feeling of seeing her clients' faces light up when they see their new space.

00:01:48.832 --> 00:01:55.512
I'm so excited, not only to hear her story, but to learn about her attitude towards servicing clients and running her own business.

00:01:55.512 --> 00:01:56.983
I'm excited about this one.

00:01:56.983 --> 00:02:00.091
Let's dive straight into my interview with Leila Vitalian.

00:02:00.091 --> 00:02:06.728
All right, leila, I'm so excited that you're here with us today.

00:02:06.728 --> 00:02:07.671
First things first.

00:02:07.671 --> 00:02:08.722
Welcome to the show.

00:02:09.724 --> 00:02:11.087
Thank you, thanks for having me.

00:02:11.508 --> 00:02:12.411
Heck, yes, you.

00:02:12.411 --> 00:02:13.013
Obviously.

00:02:13.013 --> 00:02:18.200
You already know I love your entrepreneurial story and all the pivots and turns that came with it.

00:02:18.200 --> 00:02:21.469
So before we get into the good stuff, take us beyond the bio.

00:02:21.469 --> 00:02:22.192
Who's Leila?

00:02:22.192 --> 00:02:25.409
How'd you just take that plunge into the world of entrepreneurship?

00:02:26.300 --> 00:02:31.932
Sure Well, I grew up in an entrepreneurial family.

00:02:31.932 --> 00:02:41.074
My parents started their own business in computers and education when I was about six or seven years old.

00:02:41.074 --> 00:02:49.846
I remember the endless hours they dedicated to growing their business and I always admired their dedication.

00:02:49.846 --> 00:02:57.824
I remember even as a child, instead of playing with toys, I would role play as a business owner, which I really enjoyed.

00:02:57.824 --> 00:03:07.776
Then fast forward when I was 21 years old, I moved to the US, essentially starting from the ground up.

00:03:07.776 --> 00:03:17.651
My academic journey began in computer science in my home country, but after I moved I soon discovered my passion for supply chain.

00:03:17.651 --> 00:03:30.222
So I returned to university and graduated with honors, and I have been fortunate to land exciting supply chain roles right after graduation.

00:03:31.264 --> 00:03:35.831
My journey into interior design is pretty interesting.

00:03:35.831 --> 00:03:44.901
I always had a passion and eye for interior design, but I never considered turning it into a business.

00:03:44.901 --> 00:03:56.004
And you know, when I decorated and designed my home, many friends who visited us admired my work and asked for my help in designing their homes.

00:03:56.004 --> 00:04:25.613
Initially I took it as a compliment, but as more people approached me, I decided to give it a try, like a serious try this time, and the intent, besides exploring this passion, was also to gain different skill sets, you know, at the very least grow on a personal level and, honestly, this experience really boosted my skills in so many different areas.

00:04:25.613 --> 00:04:52.283
So I started taking interior design courses, got my certification and started helping friends and family with their homes and through word of mouth I gradually received more projects and this passion, eventually to the birth of Wanta Design.

00:04:52.283 --> 00:05:06.552
So, looking back at my journey as a whole, I think it's been always about willingness to take risks, constantly challenging myself and step out of my comfort zone to achieve personal and professional growth.

00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:11.781
Yeah, I love that overview, Leila, especially because obviously you come from an entrepreneurial family.

00:05:11.781 --> 00:05:18.408
But I am going to call you out and give you huge credit here, because I think it's so powerful that we're all told these things from time to time.

00:05:18.408 --> 00:05:20.502
A friend saying, oh my gosh, can you help me with that?

00:05:20.502 --> 00:05:23.166
And obviously I teased it at the top of today's episode.

00:05:23.166 --> 00:05:30.201
But, layla, you didn't just heed that praise from friends and family, you actually decided to go deep into that rabbit hole.

00:05:30.201 --> 00:05:33.410
But it's interesting to me because you obviously had a successful career.

00:05:33.410 --> 00:05:41.240
So take us back to your mindset at that time, as opposed to just hearing the praise and the call to action from friends and family.

00:05:41.240 --> 00:05:43.303
What pushed you into saying you know what?

00:05:43.303 --> 00:05:46.367
I'm going to take this seriously and I'm actually going to do it as a business.

00:05:48.630 --> 00:06:24.774
Um, to be very honest, um, I think I had a moment where I was like I'm only living this life once and if I don't try it now, uh, I'm afraid I won't ever try it, and I just don't want to get to the point where I regret the chances that I didn't take or I regret the risks that I never took, and although I was having a great career, I knew that even after taking this shot, if things don't work out for any reasons, I can always come back.

00:06:24.795 --> 00:06:27.182
I can always get back, like I can always get back to where I started.

00:06:27.182 --> 00:06:30.790
So I'm not really losing anything at this point.

00:06:30.790 --> 00:06:42.187
Uh, I thought at the minimum, as I mentioned earlier, the least that this experience can give me is I can grow on a personal level.

00:06:42.187 --> 00:06:55.095
So I just had that moment of courage and, of course, the support that I had from my family members and you know the encouragement I got from the friends.

00:06:55.095 --> 00:07:05.769
I just thought I just had that courage this moment that I need to take this shot now, because I just don't want to regret it later.

00:07:05.769 --> 00:07:09.403
And it's been an amazing experience so far.

00:07:09.583 --> 00:07:11.627
Yeah, yeah, that's really powerful advice.

00:07:11.627 --> 00:07:18.178
I want to echo that for all of our listeners here today is, as you said, your job will always be there, your career will always be there.

00:07:18.178 --> 00:07:20.345
If things don't work, you can always go backwards.

00:07:20.345 --> 00:07:32.887
I feel like, societally, we put so much pressure on these decisions as if they're final or as if they're fatal, but that attitude that you're putting on display for us here today, that's so incredibly important, especially for all of you entrepreneurs.

00:07:32.954 --> 00:07:35.380
I'm going to use Layla's example story here today.

00:07:35.380 --> 00:07:39.096
For so many of you to take that leap and, layla, you called out courage.

00:07:39.096 --> 00:07:42.141
It's an essential ingredient, because all of us are scared.

00:07:42.141 --> 00:07:52.064
Even though you were already helping people, even though you already had the support of so many friends and family, it still is a big leap to make and so, with that in mind, I do want to.

00:07:52.064 --> 00:07:59.016
I want you to take us back to that first client, because you had already helped people just on a friendly basis, and I think that's so cool.

00:07:59.016 --> 00:08:05.841
It must have given you confidence, but still there were so many unknowns about going ahead and selling your services.

00:08:05.841 --> 00:08:11.658
Take us back to that first client, or that first point where you realized, holy cow, this is a real business.

00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:23.307
Yeah, actually, the first client that I got, I was just like really you want to pay me for what I love to do?

00:08:23.307 --> 00:08:30.771
Like I just couldn't understand or I was or excited about this opportunity.

00:08:30.771 --> 00:08:37.986
And I want to actually mention that I faced a lot of challenges starting this business.

00:08:37.986 --> 00:08:45.307
I think majority of those were mental, like overcoming overcoming the overcoming imposter syndrome.

00:08:45.307 --> 00:08:54.000
The first client that I got, I could not believe I could do the job, even though I've done it many times for my friends, for myself and.

00:08:54.000 --> 00:09:01.900
But when it become like more serious, I just had all these battles in my in my head that can I do it?

00:09:01.900 --> 00:09:05.875
Do you really want to pay me for what I love to do always?

00:09:05.975 --> 00:09:21.245
So overcoming imposter syndrome, for instance, was a significant hurdle and initially I felt like I needed to know everything and I have to master every detail before taking on any projects.

00:09:21.245 --> 00:09:29.804
So I was spending countless hours learning everything and I thought I have to be ready first.

00:09:29.804 --> 00:09:35.879
Then I start taking more clients or taking more projects, but I never felt that I'm ready enough.

00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:45.005
So the self-doubt and mental barriers were very challenging and overcoming them was a constant battle.

00:09:45.005 --> 00:10:07.998
So eventually I just decided I'm not going to ever feel like I'm ready and I'm going to learn throughout this process, throughout this journey, and I was so fortunate that my first clients, or my first project they were extremely nice and so kind to me and they didn't make me feel uncomfortable with any.

00:10:07.998 --> 00:10:15.058
I did make mistakes in the beginning, but they were very honest and we were very transparent with each other.

00:10:15.058 --> 00:10:28.426
So, yeah, so I started that project and the way that it turned out the entire project turned out to be it boosted my confidence and I was just ready to take on more projects.

00:10:29.054 --> 00:10:38.827
Yeah, I love that story, especially because I want to call that one thing out, that point that you made about you love to do this and it kind of is that moment where you're just like pinch me, people are going to pay me for this.

00:10:38.827 --> 00:10:39.514
That's crazy.

00:10:39.514 --> 00:10:48.938
I feel like that can be a blessing and a curse for so many different entrepreneurs, because we love doing it and that's what guides you through all of the challenges that we all inevitably face in the journey.

00:10:48.938 --> 00:10:57.868
But at the same time, because we love it, I feel like too many entrepreneurs devalue themselves and their skills and their services as a result of that.

00:10:57.868 --> 00:11:08.384
Talk to us about that, cause I know for sure back in 2012, when I started my marketing agency, I cringe at thinking about the prices that I used to charge I was devaluing myself so much.

00:11:08.384 --> 00:11:10.657
Layla, how did you navigate those waters?

00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:40.318
that is exactly right because, um, I did a struggle with that and in order to find a way to solve this problem or the challenge I reach out to other entrepreneurs or I enjoy, I joined the interior design community and I learned that that's not only me, everyone almost as you mentioned, you yourself, everyone almost feeling the same way, especially if your business is based on your passion.

00:11:40.318 --> 00:11:55.982
You feel like maybe you just again I'm going to go back to the imposter syndrome Maybe that's the imposter syndrome that kind of gets in your head that you're devaluing yourself.

00:11:55.982 --> 00:12:03.225
So, for me, in order to overcome that, personally, I joined the interior design community.

00:12:03.225 --> 00:12:14.679
I reached out to different mentors, different designers that they've done this in the past and I just wanted to get out of my own bubble and get more into a business mindset.

00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.782
Like how are you?

00:12:16.562 --> 00:12:20.690
Um, you know, um, how are you doing this?

00:12:20.690 --> 00:12:21.818
What are your services?

00:12:21.818 --> 00:12:27.221
And learning more from like turning my passion into a business was a different journey.

00:12:27.221 --> 00:12:38.229
Like doing what you love is, I think it's one journey, and then turning that into a business idea or being a business owner is a whole different thing.

00:12:38.229 --> 00:12:45.865
So, for me, in order to learn more about that, learn how to price myself or how to run a business.

00:12:45.865 --> 00:13:00.551
I joined that community and I constantly learn from them, and I'm still, to this day, reaching out to them to learn more, because I may be a great interior designer, but I really need to learn more about how to run a business.

00:13:00.551 --> 00:13:02.681
So, yeah, that's how.

00:13:02.681 --> 00:13:03.725
That's how I'm learning.

00:13:04.254 --> 00:13:10.120
Yeah, I love the fact that you call that out because, layla, obviously at the end of today's episode we're gonna talk about your business website.

00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.105
We're gonna drop those links.

00:13:11.105 --> 00:13:19.375
Listeners, you already know where you can find all those, but I will say, from the outside, looking in, everything looks so strategic and intentional and polished.

00:13:19.375 --> 00:13:20.861
Your website's incredible.

00:13:20.861 --> 00:13:31.044
The branding that you've put together is so elegant and it shows so much about the pride that you take in your own work.

00:13:31.044 --> 00:13:32.008
But I love the transparency in how you share.

00:13:32.008 --> 00:13:44.104
You're always improving and evolving as a business owner, as an entrepreneur, and so, with all of that in mind, I want to tap into some of the genius of Layla the interior designer, not just the entrepreneur, because a core part of that is this is a very intimate service.

00:13:44.104 --> 00:13:49.013
You're working inside of people's most intimate spaces, their homes.

00:13:49.013 --> 00:13:56.696
Talk to us about some of those cares and considerations that you put into the client experience, not just the spaces that you create.

00:13:58.177 --> 00:14:01.042
That's a great question and you are so right.

00:14:01.042 --> 00:14:09.456
You are working on spaces that people live and they care about those spaces.

00:14:09.456 --> 00:14:17.421
So it's a very sensitive job to make sure that you're happy with your work but, at the same time, clients is happy.

00:14:17.421 --> 00:14:23.065
I think when I initially started, I just wanted to have something really great on my portfolio.

00:14:23.065 --> 00:14:24.375
I just wanted to have something really great on my portfolio.

00:14:24.375 --> 00:14:28.706
I just wanted to have a great outcome, the way that I love it.

00:14:28.706 --> 00:14:43.325
But then, as I started getting more projects and working with different clients of different backgrounds, I learned that it's actually more important that they love the projects, even though if I'm not 100% aligned with some of the things.

00:14:43.325 --> 00:14:46.835
They love the projects even though if I'm not 100% aligned with some of the things.

00:14:46.835 --> 00:14:53.835
But at the end of the day, they are the one living in that house or in that space and it's more important for them to be happy and satisfied with the results.

00:14:57.700 --> 00:15:16.562
So I had to kind of like be a little bit more flexible, as I'm getting more flexible, as I'm getting more projects and making sure that you know having my discovery call, which is free of charge, because it's basically, you know, getting to know you, you get to know me Am I a good designer for your project?

00:15:18.115 --> 00:15:33.341
And just listening to the clients during that one hour call or meeting what do you want, what do you get, what do you want to get out of this project, what do you want to see in this space, what colors do you like, what colors you don't like?

00:15:33.602 --> 00:15:48.104
And just gathering as much information as possible during that one hour discovery call and then, uh, putting it, putting everything into an action and constantly communicating, making sure that we are all still on the same page.

00:15:48.104 --> 00:15:57.205
And what I like to do, because, as a customer, I like to have options, but not also a lot of options that I get so confused.

00:15:57.205 --> 00:15:58.961
But I wanna see more than one option.

00:15:58.961 --> 00:16:01.462
So that's what I provide to my clients.

00:16:01.462 --> 00:16:11.461
I provide them with multiple options and, based on our discovery call results, and I ask them which one do you want to choose?

00:16:11.461 --> 00:16:36.347
So it's always like collaboration and of it to have that collaborative environment, because being client facing is something that we should all, or client oriented is something we should all aspire to, but you put it so succinctly, there is that they have to love the results because it's their home.

00:16:36.414 --> 00:16:51.360
So I think it's particularly important makes me want to ask you, considering your supply chain experience, layla, there's so much that you are used to from a process-oriented perspective, from a metrics-oriented perspective, and now you're in a radically different industry.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.304
How do those two mesh together?

00:16:53.304 --> 00:17:01.119
Well, because I'm a big believer that everything we do in life prepares us for this very moment, but also we're being prepared for things we can't even imagine right now.

00:17:01.119 --> 00:17:06.487
With all of that in mind, how did your supply chain career background prepare you for what you do now?

00:17:08.068 --> 00:17:09.130
I love this question.

00:17:12.836 --> 00:17:41.817
As an interior designer, you know, with lots of supply chain experience, I would say my ability to seamlessly integrate my planning, project management, vendor relations, negotiation all the skills that I learned during my journey as a supply chain person really was extremely helpful and was in addition to my creative design ideas and all the skill sets.

00:17:41.897 --> 00:18:11.218
So, to answer your questions, I would say that kind of supply chain background or what I learned throughout the supply chain journey now as an interior designer, that made me to be good at looking at things from different angles, making sure everything runs smoothly, from picking the right pieces to keeping projects on budget, all while you're creating a beautiful space for the clients.

00:18:11.218 --> 00:18:21.517
So I not only make sure that my design projects are beautiful, but also grounded in great planning and resource optimization.

00:18:21.517 --> 00:18:39.574
Everything that I learned from supply chain and I think that's actually one of the keys to my success is my capability to manage the operational aspects of design projects with the same fineness as the creative ones.

00:18:39.574 --> 00:18:54.275
So if I have to summarize this and give one word answer or one sentence answer, I would say my supply chain background helped me to now provide stress-free design experiences to my clients.

00:18:54.915 --> 00:18:56.058
Yeah, leila, I'll tell you what.

00:18:56.058 --> 00:19:05.997
Hearing you say the words strategic with regards to interior design makes me realize why I don't necessarily love all of the spaces that I live and work in.

00:19:05.997 --> 00:19:11.989
And it's because for so many of us, it isn't strategic For so many of us, you know, if you're moving from different places.

00:19:11.989 --> 00:19:19.549
I'm someone who travels a lot and I'll go places and I'll say I love this space, but I can't put my finger on how to recreate that in my own space.

00:19:19.549 --> 00:19:21.112
Where does that come from?

00:19:21.112 --> 00:19:22.894
Because a lot of us work from home.

00:19:22.894 --> 00:19:28.980
A lot of solopreneurs, especially, work from home, and so we are merging our workspaces with our home spaces.

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:35.608
Since we're talking about interior design, I want to tap into that side of your brain.

00:19:35.608 --> 00:19:39.356
How do we even begin to go about creating that space that can function in all the ways that we need it to?

00:19:47.865 --> 00:19:47.944
Yeah.

00:19:47.944 --> 00:19:51.919
So say, if I have a client that they want to have an old home office or they want to turn one of the extra bedroom that they have in their house into an office.

00:19:51.919 --> 00:20:13.172
So again, it's so overwhelming because you go on Pinterest, you go on social media and you see all these different ideas or you go, you know, to different stores and you see all these beautiful arts and tables and rocks and you just love them all and you want to bring them all into your office.

00:20:13.172 --> 00:20:15.938
But it's very important.

00:20:15.938 --> 00:20:18.753
I think how interior designer can help you is they can look at things from a bigger picture.

00:20:18.753 --> 00:20:22.646
I think how interior designer can help you is they can look at things from a bigger picture.

00:20:22.646 --> 00:20:32.894
I think I personally sometimes when I go to stores, I want to buy this, I want to buy that, but when I bring them together, they don't necessarily go well with each other.

00:20:32.894 --> 00:20:44.126
So how you want to start is that it does get overwhelming in the beginning, but you just want to write down what do you want to get out of this space?

00:20:44.126 --> 00:20:46.392
What's more important for you?

00:20:46.392 --> 00:20:51.268
Is it more functional or do you want it to make it more beautiful?

00:20:51.268 --> 00:20:54.934
What do you exactly want from this room.

00:20:54.934 --> 00:20:59.150
So just writing those things down and start from bigger stuff.

00:20:59.310 --> 00:21:04.048
So say, if you are working on your home office, you would work.

00:21:04.048 --> 00:21:10.858
You get the table first, maybe the table lamp would be the last.

00:21:10.858 --> 00:21:15.936
So you start with the bigger piece because it's going to be easier at the end to get the smaller stuff.

00:21:15.936 --> 00:21:21.946
And before you're purchasing them, what I do do actually, I have like softwares or different tools.

00:21:21.946 --> 00:21:28.946
I put everything together to make sure that everything looks great on a paper before go ahead and purchase them.

00:21:28.946 --> 00:21:35.210
So you have, like you know, working with interior designer they, they come with all these tools and 3d designs.

00:21:35.210 --> 00:21:43.904
So you won't necessarily spend all this money on all the materials, all the furniture, and then you come home and they don't go well with each other.

00:21:43.904 --> 00:21:50.479
So you just see them visually on a 3D design on a piece of paper before you actually commit to them.

00:21:51.685 --> 00:22:01.230
So I would say, when you want to start from something, just write down what do you want to get out of this room, what's the most important thing and what do you not want to start from something.

00:22:01.230 --> 00:22:03.971
Just write down what do you want to get out of this room, what's the most important thing and what do you not want to see.

00:22:03.971 --> 00:22:06.968
I remember when I talked with one of my clients.

00:22:06.968 --> 00:22:21.116
They said it's actually very interesting and very helpful when you think about what you don't want to see rather than what do you want to see, because when it comes to what you want to see, the options are limitless.

00:22:21.116 --> 00:22:28.258
But when you want to explain what you don't want to see, it's easier to write that down on a piece of paper.

00:22:28.258 --> 00:22:34.645
So just write it down on a piece of paper and then you go from there and obviously reach out if you need professional help.

00:22:34.666 --> 00:22:44.294
Yes, I love that approach because it really is a roadmap and so much of what we talk about in life and business really comes really is a roadmap, and so much of what we talk about in life and business really comes down to being intentional.

00:22:44.294 --> 00:22:53.756
And I think it's something that, when we start by having that map in place and putting constraints, I love the fact that you introduced us to that approach of saying, hey, here are the things I also don't want.

00:22:53.756 --> 00:23:03.452
It's something that my friends joke around with me with here in Tampa is when I say to people, oh, I don't know what I want to eat tonight, some of my friends will ask what don't you want to eat?

00:23:03.452 --> 00:23:10.169
If I can rattle off, I don't want Italian, I don't want Mexican, I don't want this Well then it's easier to start identifying what it is that I do like.

00:23:10.169 --> 00:23:16.569
So I love those constraints and that approach to problem solving because ultimately, it's what we do in our businesses every single day.

00:23:16.630 --> 00:23:18.893
And, layla, I do want to talk to you from a business perspective.

00:23:18.893 --> 00:23:36.213
I think it's so cool to see the way that your business has evolved, because you brought up technology and obviously that's a big part of your industry and it's a big part of the way that you service your clients, but let's also talk about the way you service your clients, because a lot of people think of interior design services as someone coming to my home.

00:23:36.213 --> 00:23:41.044
But obviously 2020, the pandemic changed so much of the way the world works.

00:23:41.044 --> 00:23:46.855
A lot of us use zoom these days, so how are those ways that you're servicing clients both near and far?

00:23:47.997 --> 00:23:48.837
yes, um.

00:23:48.837 --> 00:23:54.336
So obviously, you, you there are different ways.

00:23:54.336 --> 00:24:24.160
Again, as you mentioned, um, during pandemic, a lot of like we got to you work with different tools such as zoom, google meets or different different things to communicate with each other, and that time proved to us that we can actually get things done, um, over a call, over a zoom call or over a video call, and we don't necessarily have to be there in person, although it it's very it's based on personal preferences.

00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:32.038
Obviously, some clients do want you to be in their home, walk around with them, look at different furniture that they already have.

00:24:32.038 --> 00:24:40.440
But I also want to mention that in this industry and I'm sure, in any other industries now, things can be done online.

00:24:42.210 --> 00:24:48.972
So, and especially interior design is growing in that area, providing online services.

00:24:48.972 --> 00:25:00.232
Basically, again, if we have a discovery call, we can have it over a Zoom call and you can take photos, you can record a video of your space.

00:25:00.232 --> 00:25:06.471
You send that over to me or any other designers and we provide the information.

00:25:06.471 --> 00:25:13.234
The 3d design tools that we have or any other tools that we have, they are all electronic and we communicate that to you.

00:25:13.234 --> 00:25:31.813
So this actually is super helpful because you may have tons of interior designers in your city, but you may specifically like this kind of interior designer work in the other city, miles, miles away from you, and you don't really have to sacrifice that anymore.

00:25:31.813 --> 00:25:38.707
You can easily reach out to them and things can be done online, and I do offer also online services.

00:25:38.707 --> 00:25:45.270
So regardless of where you live, even if you live overseas, I can provide those services too.

00:25:45.270 --> 00:25:49.133
So it's as easy as, again, having live miles, miles away.

00:25:49.133 --> 00:25:51.454
You get the same service.

00:25:51.454 --> 00:25:54.195
You get the same quality of work.

00:26:06.565 --> 00:26:13.159
Yes, I love that perspective because what really shines through, layla, in so many different ways, is how much you love this stuff.

00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:24.768
But I'm going to use this as an example for listeners, because one thing that I always argue in the world of entrepreneurship is that when we're business owners, we're no longer just the practitioners, you are no longer just an interior designer.

00:26:24.768 --> 00:26:35.356
You are also a business owner, and so, for listeners benefits, I would love for you to share some of your perspectives on the fact that you do get to marry these two.

00:26:35.356 --> 00:26:39.829
You do get to marry being a business owner with the actual work that you clearly love to do.

00:26:39.829 --> 00:26:44.756
What's some of the things that you didn't expect about entrepreneurship?

00:26:44.756 --> 00:26:47.118
That now you look at it and you're just like holy cow.

00:26:47.118 --> 00:26:53.957
That's crazy that I've grown into this role and that's crazy that I'm able to manage all of these things while growing a business.

00:26:53.957 --> 00:26:55.128
Give us some insights there.

00:26:56.153 --> 00:26:56.413
Yeah.

00:26:56.413 --> 00:27:01.336
So again I started this business completely out of my passion.

00:27:01.336 --> 00:27:03.541
So I knew I love interior design.

00:27:03.541 --> 00:27:13.500
I knew I had the taste, I knew um.

00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.583
Can you hear me?

00:27:16.145 --> 00:27:20.201
yeah yes, yeah.

00:27:20.201 --> 00:27:23.269
So I started this business completely out of my passion.

00:27:23.269 --> 00:27:24.751
Um, you know I?

00:27:24.751 --> 00:27:30.430
I knew I love interior design, I knew I have the taste for it, I knew I have the skill set for it.

00:27:30.430 --> 00:27:36.728
I knew I can just educate myself a little bit more and, um, do whatever I want out of it.

00:27:36.728 --> 00:27:50.779
But then, when I started having this business, I was like, oh my God, now I am my own CEO, I am my own accountant, I am my own project manager, I am my own salesperson.

00:27:50.819 --> 00:28:11.467
So having all these, being all these kind of people, was difficult and still is a challenge Learning to how sell your ideas and learning to how do your expenses and learning to how run a project at the same time that you're doing the interior design work.

00:28:11.467 --> 00:28:13.000
It was challenging.

00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:16.285
So what didn't I expect?

00:28:16.285 --> 00:28:22.295
To answer your question, what did I expect when I started my business is that I have to learn.

00:28:22.295 --> 00:28:24.067
I have a lot to learn.

00:28:24.569 --> 00:28:28.480
I have a lot to learn, and I needed to learn how to do accounting.

00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:32.209
I needed to learn how to sell my ideas.

00:28:32.209 --> 00:28:35.142
I needed to learn how to do networking.

00:28:35.142 --> 00:28:42.144
I needed to learn a lot, and it wasn't only about execution and implementing my design ideas.

00:28:42.144 --> 00:28:47.319
It was also about how can I have my business profitable.

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:54.839
So, again, this is not something that you would learn necessarily all by yourself.

00:28:54.839 --> 00:29:22.759
You would reach out to different people, get their experiences, their knowledge, talk to different communities, and surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs was extremely helpful to me, just like learning what they've gone through, how they overcame it and yeah, so I think that's how you would kind of like marry this to your business ideas and your actual work together.

00:29:23.381 --> 00:29:24.984
Yes, I love that overview.

00:29:24.984 --> 00:29:27.960
These are the realities of what it means to be an entrepreneur.

00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:36.711
So, leila, as we come towards the end of today's session together, I want to squeeze two more questions in, because one I am super curious about the name of your business.

00:29:36.711 --> 00:29:37.515
One tau design.

00:29:37.515 --> 00:29:39.784
Walk us through the inspiration there.

00:29:41.316 --> 00:29:47.648
This is such an interesting question and I was hoping that he asked me that because there is a meaning behind it.

00:29:47.648 --> 00:29:48.916
It's an.

00:29:48.916 --> 00:29:58.159
Actually, it's a combination of two words, one in my own language, farsi, and then the other one is In English, so the other one is in English.

00:29:58.159 --> 00:30:05.163
So the word one is English and ta is part of the Farsi word.

00:30:05.163 --> 00:30:27.356
So putting that all together that means unique, and basically the way that I came up with this business name was I knew that I'm offering unique design ideas and it's different.

00:30:27.356 --> 00:30:29.301
My design ideas and my design services are different.

00:30:29.301 --> 00:30:41.943
So I wanted a name that represents what I'm actually bringing to the table, and unique was something that perfectly could describe my business, and I brought two different backgrounds that I have, so something from Farsi and something from English.

00:30:41.943 --> 00:30:48.391
So you can tell or you can say this word is basically everything about me.

00:30:53.654 --> 00:30:55.343
It's unique ideas with all different backgrounds that I'm bringing to the table.

00:30:55.343 --> 00:30:56.567
Yes, I love the meaning behind it.

00:30:56.567 --> 00:30:58.258
I figured there was a deep meaning to it.

00:30:58.258 --> 00:31:10.346
So the fact that you've been able to blend all of that into one business brand and done it in such a beautiful fashion your website, the way that it follows through all of your branding and the way that your business shows up in the world huge kudos to you.

00:31:10.346 --> 00:31:12.538
So, Layla, my final question.

00:31:12.538 --> 00:31:29.346
I ask this at the end of every episode what's your one piece of advice, that one takeaway for listeners tuning in, who are inevitably going to be inspired not only by what you do and how you serve your clients, but I think what's so powerful about you is your own entrepreneurial journey and the mindset and the perspective that comes with it.

00:31:29.346 --> 00:31:32.023
So what's that one thing you want to leave listeners with?

00:31:33.336 --> 00:31:40.847
I would say starting a business requires both passion and persistence.

00:31:40.847 --> 00:31:52.898
There will be so many challenges, but your passion will keep you motivated and your persistence will help you overcome those challenges.

00:31:52.898 --> 00:32:01.564
And if I want to break it down further, I would say number one believe in yourself.

00:32:01.564 --> 00:32:03.248
Trust your abilities.

00:32:03.248 --> 00:32:07.277
Don't let self-doubt or imposter syndrome hold you back.

00:32:07.277 --> 00:32:10.079
Number two keep learning.

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:13.825
Be open to learning new things all the time.

00:32:13.825 --> 00:32:18.570
Mistakes are great teachers, so don't be afraid of them.

00:32:18.570 --> 00:32:22.221
Number three build a strong network.

00:32:22.221 --> 00:32:33.438
Surround yourself with supportive people, including other entrepreneurs or mentors, or even, if you're lucky enough, the support from your family or friends.

00:32:33.438 --> 00:32:38.896
They are very valuable and they can provide you valuable advice and keep you motivated.

00:32:38.896 --> 00:32:43.907
And last one start small, but think big.

00:32:43.907 --> 00:32:47.916
Start with what you have and improve as you go.

00:32:47.916 --> 00:32:53.067
Don't wait for everything to be perfect, because it's never going to be happening.

00:32:53.067 --> 00:32:54.851
Because it's never going to be happening.

00:32:54.851 --> 00:32:59.326
Stay persistent and adaptable to turn your vision into reality.

00:33:00.115 --> 00:33:08.304
Yes, important advice for every single one of us, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, whether you're a wantrepreneur or an entrepreneur.

00:33:08.304 --> 00:33:12.023
Heed Layla's advice, because this is coming from her own experiences.

00:33:12.023 --> 00:33:17.441
Her own journey that she's been so transparent about here in today's episode is that it's ever evolving.

00:33:17.441 --> 00:33:24.782
We are all always growing, and embracing all of these things in our own personal journeys is only going to set us up for success.

00:33:24.782 --> 00:33:29.041
So, layla, we talked a lot about your style, the services that you provide to your clients.

00:33:29.041 --> 00:33:30.665
Today, listeners couldn't see it.

00:33:30.665 --> 00:33:38.566
They just have to listen to us, but drop those links on us where they can find your business and see all of your cool and amazing projects in action.

00:33:39.567 --> 00:33:49.669
Sure, you can visit my website at wantadesigncom or find me on Instagram at wantadesign to see some of my work.

00:33:49.669 --> 00:33:55.065
Also, feel free to email me at leila at wantadesigncom.

00:33:56.635 --> 00:33:58.623
Yes, listeners, you already know the drill.

00:33:58.623 --> 00:34:00.425
We are making it as easy as possible for you.

00:34:00.425 --> 00:34:10.579
Find all of those links down below in the show notes, wherever it is that you're tuning into today's episode, as well as Leila's personal LinkedIn, her Instagram that she mentioned, as well as her business website.

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:23.905
So don't be shy in reaching out, and if you need interior design services you heard it from her here today is that, no matter where in the world you are, it's accessible to work with incredible entrepreneurs and interior designers, just like Layla.

00:34:23.905 --> 00:34:29.402
So, layla, on behalf of myself and all the listeners worldwide, thanks so much for joining us on the show today.

00:34:30.364 --> 00:34:31.407
Thanks again for having me.

00:34:32.315 --> 00:34:37.876
Hey, it's Brian here, and thanks for tuning in to yet another episode of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast.

00:34:37.876 --> 00:34:41.860
If you haven't checked us out online, there's so much good stuff there.

00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:51.090
Check out the show's website and all the show notes that we talked about in today's episode at thewantrepreneurshowcom.

00:34:51.090 --> 00:34:59.846
There's a reason why we are ad-free and have produced so many incredible episodes five days a week for you, and it's because our guests step up to the plate.

00:34:59.846 --> 00:35:01.902
These are not sponsored episodes.

00:35:01.902 --> 00:35:03.501
These are not infomercials.

00:35:03.675 --> 00:35:07.005
Our guests help us cover the costs of our productions.

00:35:07.005 --> 00:35:17.967
They so deeply believe in the power of getting their message out in front of you, awesome entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, that they contribute to help us make these productions possible.

00:35:17.967 --> 00:35:26.447
So thank you to not only today's guests, but all of our guests in general, and I just want to invite you check out our website because you can send us a voicemail there.

00:35:26.447 --> 00:35:27.780
We also have live chat.

00:35:27.780 --> 00:35:33.807
If you want to interact directly with me, go to thewantrepreneurshowcom, initiate a live chat.

00:35:33.807 --> 00:35:43.248
It's for real me, and I'm excited because I'll see you, as always every monday, wednesday, friday, saturday and sunday here on the entrepreneur to entrepreneur podcast.