Female Empowerment is the New Black

Women empowering women is totally trending and I couldn’t be happier!

As a woman born in the mid-70’s who was told that my best chance was to marry a doctor or lawyer, it is a joy to see this change! Girls are now growing up in world where they are told they can be the doctor or the lawyer. 

This wave of positive change has moved into the world of interior design, as well. While design has long been a female-dominated industry, it has not traditionally been viewed as the career of a “bread winner.” Instead, our society has seen designers as women with a cute, part-time hobby; and the view of interior design as a serious business is one that the industry has been slow to accept.

But the rise of design-oriented business coaches and podcasts, along with greater awareness of the value of interior design, has led to the attitude that women deserve better. 

In addition, the competition-based attitudes that had previously created something of a “mean girl” culture in our industry have also been breaking down — thanks in large part to the advent of the Internet.

Now, many within the profession are lifting up others by sharing their own knowledge and experience through websites, blogs, and podcasts.

Highlights in this area include LuAnn Nigara’s “A Well-Designed Business,” “Wingnut Social” with Darla Powell, and Tobi Fairley’s “The Design You Podcast,” to name just a few.

(Don’t forget to check out our appearance on LuAnn’s podcast here.)

Design-oriented Facebook groups are another great resource for sharing and support. And those seeking even more individualized attention can benefit from the one-on-one guidance of the many fabulous business coaches who now specialize in helping interior designers with their own particular needs.

I have to give a shout out here to the incredible Nancy Ganzekaufer, Business Coach for Interior Designers, who holds a veritable wealth of knowledge about our industry.

(Here’s the link to our recent Weekend Wine Down conversation on Facebook.)

As our name suggests, The Designers Collaborative believes in collaboration, rather than competition. Our mission is to empower women and men in the interior design business by blazing a new path in product sourcing, allowing them to make greater profits than ever before.

We embrace the approach, “Be the change you seek in this world.” Wherever you are in your journey, there is always someone behind you that you can help to lift up.

It might be as simple as sharing a word of encouragement, which could mean more to its recipient than you know. Then, the next thing you know, someone who has reached the level above you will reach back and lift you up. 

When we strengthen others, we all get stronger. We all rise.

DECEMBER 9, 2019