Design & Style, Home & Lifestyle
Becoming A Design Entrepreneur
Lesson time 11:06 min
Corey lays out his road map for building an interior design brand successfully and with distinction, no matter your goals.
Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
Topics include: Starting Your Design Business · Charging Your Worth · Determining Whether the Project Is a Good Fit · Building Your Professional Network
Teaches Interior Design
Acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins shows you how to make bold, functional interiors on any budget—from mood boards to space planning.
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[MUSIC PLAYING] - So this part of our MasterClass is really geared towards aspiring designers, you students, you entrepreneurs who are looking to get into this industry and how to build your brand successfully and with distinction. For every interior design and brand, the most crucial feature to keep in mind is consistency and quality, especially when it comes to how they are branded. The website, social media platforms, the portfolio have a point of view, a certain something, a little special sauce that only you do on your projects that sets you apart just apart from everyone else's. So initially my company was named Design With Vision. And I launched the firm in late 2009. And I was so intimidated by the weight of having my own company. I lacked confidence, I think, at that time. So I figured I would hide behind the name of Design With Vision. And a very dear designer that I looked up to as a mentor, he said to me, don't hide behind Design With Vision. Use your own name. Put your shingle out there and claim your space. I said, you mean something like Corey Damen Jenkins and Associates? And he was like, yeah, because that is what you're doing. You're designing as CDJ. So we became Design With Vision doing business as Corey Damen Jenkins and Associates. And then the press just kind of latched onto CDJA, because it's just easier and less confusing for readers when you have a separate company name from the designer's identity. In addition to your name, you need some sort of logo. The logo can be an actual symbol, or it could just be the font that your company name is scrawled on, on the website or on the business card. But you can figure out what is that look for your company and your company name. You need business cards. Business cards are still a thing. I know V cards, those virtual cards, are hot, and that's great. But not everyone's on that level just yet. So having a physical business card is important, where a number and preferably an actual real address versus a PO box is easily accessible. Next, you need to have a website. Even if you don't have imagery available to showcase on your website, that's OK. But have a website no matter what and have it referenced on your business card. Because the first thing that clients are going to do when they engage you or think about engaging you, they're going to look you up online. Right now the internet is the primary way that people screen anyone for any type of business. So you need to have your website set up. Now, a lot of times people will ask me, well, what if I don't have rooms to feature on my website. Perfectly fine. It can be something as simple as "coming soon" to a home near you, right? But have something up. And have a color scheme as far as your company colors, have all that punctuated on your website. And then pick that up again on your card. Your letterhead, your documentation, your email, how is it going to be outfitted, your signature, ...
About the Instructor
Considered one of the most prominent interior designers working today, Corey Damen Jenkins creates elevated spaces for clients across the globe and believes everyone should have access to great design. Now he’s teaching you how to build bold, functional interiors on any budget. From mood boards to space planning, learn how to embrace the design process, make choices with confidence, and turn your home into a true haven.
Featured MasterClass Instructor
Corey Damen Jenkins
Acclaimed interior designer Corey Damen Jenkins shows you how to make bold, functional interiors on any budget—from mood boards to space planning.
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