RISE, A Modern Guide for the Purpose Driven Woman Winter 2014 | Page 21

Mind you this was supposed to be an
industry expert that should know this.
One of the most important things to
recognize is that you don’t know
everything, but be smart to build
relationships with the right people.
I choose to work one-on-one with
professionals who are not necessarily
related to my industry. I forge bonding
friendships with no agenda which has
helped me build a company where my
heels are higher than the standards of
some people.
Perception Creates Reality
I coined the phrase “Designerlebrity”
when I noticed there were interior
designers who were like celebrities in
the industry. So much so that I became
enamored with them. I was giddy to
meet and speak with these designers that were either on popular TV
shows, had launched new products and
authored books. Some I had known for
years and others I simply wanted to get
to know. I took photos of those moments for the purpose of remembering
the connection and posted them on my
website. I didn’t realize the perception
those photos had given my company.
Within weeks I started to get calls from
PR Agents, Bloggers, Publishers and
Designerlebrities themselves to learn
more about what I did. That accidental
perception gave me the opportunity
to present my business to some of the
most recognizable names in the industry. I was quickly growing into a
celebrity of my own. When this started
to happen I had to pay close attention
to how my business was being represented. There were pros and cons. The
pros were that I didn’t need to pay for
marketing or advertising. People were
impressed by me and my business.
They wanted to share VSM as the new
insider for the design community. The
cons were that my potential clients
perceived me to be unaffordable as my
perception showed I only dealt with
the best in the business. Basically my
website played the greatest hits and
never showed the wonderful up-and-

coming designerlebrities themselves.
Now I have added fabulous photos of
my wonderful clients and included
some humbling testimonials. I have
also added a press page to highlight the
wonderful people that took interest in
sharing VSM to the world. My website
now incorporates the accurate reality
of my perception.
Be Unapologetically
Authentic
When I hear people talk about me, the
words “real” and “unfiltered” come up
a lot. I am not sure if I should be
flattered or concerned, but hey, you
could be called worse. Once your
business gains momentum and all eyes
are on you, it’s easy to lose yourself.
You put a magnifying glass on every
move you make because you worry
people will not get you and it could
affect your business. I just can’t roll this
way and prefer not to put that kind of
pressure on myself. The best partnerships are based on chemistry. I have
successful working relationships with
my clients because they genuinely like
me. I gained respect with my industry
peers because my opinions are
honest and unfiltered. Some of my
biggest mentors embrace this same
concept and they are able to stay

true to themselves and create an empire to be proud of. Don’t change for
anyone or for any amount.
Be unapologetically authentic.
You Can Go Hard or You
Can Go Home
It goes without saying that to grow
your business you will have to take
risks. Taking risks means getting out
of your comfort zone and assessing every angle that will benefit your
growing company. I get asked to do
speaking engagements, but always
decline. I have stage fright and, to be
honest, sometimes can be a bore. One
day I was asked by the Decoration and
Design Building in New York what it
would take for me to do one. I gave it
some thought and said I would rather
moderate an event with my selection
of guests and questions. I made a list of
demands to conduct it in a noticeable
showroom and wanted a relaxed and
intimate setting with cocktails for all to
enjoy. To my surprise, they complied! I
have never even performed in a school
play and now I had to conduct an
event during one of New York’s highly
promoted Markets. I took the risk and
it paid off. The event “Don’t Hate the
Players, Change the Game” was a
great success. It was praised and

Barbara with Interior Design Icon, David Easton