Today we’d like to introduce you to Mallory Walker.
Mallory, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story started in 2009. I had just graduated college with a business degree. I had intended on going into mortgage originations, but considering we were in the middle of a recession, that was not an option. I actually ended up servicing delinquent sub-prime loans and for a kid right out of college, I did pretty well for myself. I spend several years in the mortgage and finance industries. During this time, my husband was establishing his real estate career. We had purchased our first home and over the next couple of years the market improved and we sold that home and made a great return on our investment. We decided our next home purchase we would live in for a short period, but the goal was to sell in a couple of years and maximize our return on investment. I like to think of it as a hybrid home. It’s a primary and investment property.
We have done that with four of our homes now and during these years, I found the best way to maximize our return on investment was with presentation, meaning design! During this time, I discovered how much I really enjoyed the process of creating beautiful spaces. Almost three years ago, I turned by passion of design into my business. I will tell you to be successful in business, pursue something your passionate about. If you go into business for money, you’ll burn out because there are no easy answers.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
There are no easy answers in business. I think that about sums it up! Its a combination of trial and error and personal development. Starting off, I would work long days and neglect myself. Today, I’m up early, reading and exercising with the understanding the more I pour into myself the more I can pour into my business! You have to be willing to suck! Every expert was once an amateur.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Walker Design & Co – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I do residential and commercial interior design. I have also designed model homes for local home builders. We are currently working with our local YMCA to update their facility. It has been a great way to give back to the community. My goal is to always have a servant’s heart and serve my clients well. My focus is customer service. It’s not enough for your client to just be happy with the final product, the experience has to be enjoyable as well. I always want to keep my client informed of progress and I do this by sending weekly updates with photos and setting expectations for the next week. I understand I do this every day but my client does not, so its important for me to take the lead and educate them while guiding them through the process.
I think what really sets me apart is my ability to interpret a multitude of design styles. From farmhouse to modern, I have the ability to execute it. From my years of designing my personal and model homes, I understand what buyers what to see. I understand what it takes to create a design that appeals to the majority of buyers and maximum my client’s return on investment.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
The plan is to keep growing it! I would like to get to the point where we are taking on flip homes and growing our investment portfolio. It’s pretty incredible the growth that we have experienced since we have started this business.
In my time growing this business, I think having a clear vision of how you want to grow your business is one of the most important things you can bring to the table. It’s a good idea to sit down and draft your business plan. There is something really powerful about writing down your goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: walkerdesignandcompany.com
- Phone: (682)551-6765
- Email: walkerdesignandcompany@gmail.com
- Instagram: @walkerdesignandcompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkerDesignandCompany/
- Other: Walker Design
Image Credit:
Tourmax Real Estate Media
Stuart Walker Photography
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