Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa DeBoever.
Lisa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Although I have a business degree, I’ve always been drawn to all things creative. After college and in my twenties, I worked for accounting firms in Chicago, IL. It paid the bills and allowed me to have the young single life in the city I was living there for but it wasn’t my passion.
I met my husband in the city. We got married and moved to the suburbs of Dallas. Once I had small children, I stopped working full time to take care of them. Toddlers are a lot of work but I always found time to put details into designing and decorating my own home. In 2015 a friend of mine asked to hire me to decorate her home. I had no idea how to charge her or what process I should follow to get the job done. I didn’t think too hard about the business side of things and jumped in helping with paint colors, furniture and accessories to update her home. From there, my business grew quickly through referrals and social media. In five years, I have moved from accessories and softer decorating to full-on home renovations and additions. I partner with a builder who has been building homes for 17 years. I love working with both the client and subcontractors on spacial and material challenges. I’m not afraid to take a risk with color or materials and enjoy bringing clients out of their comfort zone.
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?
I am a working mom so nothing is ever completely smooth. It’s a good problem to have, being busy with work when you run your own business, but its also hard to keep a balance. Like I mentioned earlier, I jumped right into my first job without any business processes in place. I feel fortunate I got the opportunity – I think if I would have tried to set up my design business before really having any experience, I’m not sure I would have even gotten my first client. As an entrepreneur, I had this underlying fear that each client could be my last so I had a problem saying no to the next job. This got me overwhelmed with work and balancing family – I couldn’t give 100% to either my family or my clients. I still struggle with this today. It’s important to give yourself time to step back, learn from each client or experience and adapt your business. It’s also okay to take a break and have the confidence that the business will keep coming in.
We’d love to hear more about DeBoever Interiors.
I call myself an interior decorator but I find myself working in all construction capacities with design. I love helping clients turn their houses into homes with fabrics, color, pattern & accessories but I found my passion with a good space and storage challenge in a kitchen, bathroom and laundry or mudroom renovation. I’ve also helped clients plan and execute their exterior spaces with outdoor kitchens, front elevations and I just finished my first landscaping plan for a client.
There are so many decisions when renovating a space, I help clients think ahead of time about all of those decisions that will need to be made, help them to pick materials and visualize the end product or space. With an initial meeting I ask tons of questions about the family to help determine their wants and needs and then translate it into a design. I help them come up with budget and also help them stick to it. I also help bridge the communication gap between contractors, subcontractors and the homeowner from demo day to the final paint touch up. For example, I use old fashioned pencil and paper to draw out a satellite view of the room, and each wall of cabinetry and storage. I then meet with subcontractors such as the framers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, tile, countertop and wallpaper installers to work out details of my designs.
Navigating through material options when renovating a space can be extremely overwhelming with all of the options available. I help narrow down materials like lighting, paint colors, tile, countertops & plumbing fixtures within the client’s budget.
I love to get creative with color, space and materials – one of my favorite parts of my job is to help a client move out of their comfort zone. But because I am a mom of school-age children, I also take into account how a space will work best for that family and never give up functionality. I often say that my renovation projects and clients are my third child – I give my heart and soul and treat each project as if it were my own home and family I am planning for.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor is to be patient and observe others who have been there before you. Ask a lot of questions, always be learning, And decide who’s work and work ethic you respect the most. I’d also suggest not only looking for mentors but connect with other women who are entrepreneurs in other industries. Discuss with them the challenges and successes you face as you run your own business. Listen to their stories and learn from each other.
Pricing:
- Home Styling – $80 per hour with a minimum of five hours, 20% finders fee on materials
- Paint Consultations – $100 first room, $75 each additional room, $500 whole house
- Renovations using my subcontractors – 10% of renovation cost
- Renovation consulting – various price per square foot depending on needs
- Space Analysis, Cabinetry & Storage Drawings – Range $20-$30 per linear foot
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.deboeverinteriors.com
- Email: deboeverdesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: @DeBoeverInteriors
- Facebook: DeBoever Interiors
Image Credit:
Jeriann Severson Photography
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