BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Interior Design By Emily

DECORAH — On July 17, the Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the grand reopening of Interior Design By Emily with a ribbon cutting at the business's brand new downtown storefront. Interior Design by Emily aims to transform spaces into stylish, functional havens by blending creativity with practicality to deliver personalized designs that reflect your unique taste and lifestyle. Whether it's a cozy home or a dynamic office, Interior Design by Emily makes your vision a reality by creating a space you'll love. Services include full-service interior design, kitchen and bath Design, E-design services, space planning and color consultation. Products include custom furniture, decorative accessories, window treatments, lighting, area rugs and wall art. Owner Emily Reicks has been in the design industry since 2010, and has worked for various design companies before branching out on her own in 2017. DN: What inspired you to start this business? ER: My passion for transforming spaces and a desire to offer more in our area motivated me to create a business where I could help clients put together their dream spaces by choosing that perfect paint color or by finding the right chair for their reading nook. Seeing the happiness and satisfaction on clients' faces when their vision comes to life continues to inspire me every day. DN: What is your background and how did you develop your skill set? ER: My background is in design, with a degree in Interior Design from Kirkwood Community College and the University of Northern Iowa. I also have a business degree from Northeast Iowa Community College. Throughout my interior design education, I gained a strong foundation in design principles, space planning, and materials. Before and after graduating, I worked with a few well known design firms, where I had the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of residential and commercial projects. I developed my skill set through a combination of formal education, hands-on experience and continuous learning. Working alongside experienced designers taught me the ropes of the industry, from client relations to project management. Additionally, I regularly attend workshops, trade shows and design conferences to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. My passion for design and commitment to excellence drive me to continuously refine my skills and expand my knowledge, ensuring I can deliver the best results for my clients. DN: Tell us how you market your business to grow sales. ER: I focus on a multi-channel approach. Social media is a huge one for me, I actively share design tips, project highlights, and client testimonials on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest to showcase my work and attract potential clients. I try to send regular newsletters featuring new projects, special offers, and design inspiration to keep our audience engaged and informed. I collaborate with builders and local businesses to create mutually beneficial partnerships and gain referrals. I also encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews and refer friends and family. This has been one way to bring in new business. I do eventually want to start hosting design workshops and doing blog posts more regularly. DN: What has been your biggest success to date? ER: Finally being able to open a design studio has been one of my biggest successes to date, other than starting my business 7.5 years ago and not knowing how it would pan out. DN: What is the best thing a customer ever said about your business? ER: Many have said they love how I put their design together and pull them out of their comfort zone, whether it be with furniture pieces curated or how I design their new space or remodel an existing space. DN: What has been the biggest challenge that you were able to solve? How did you do it? ER: The biggest challenge, I'd say, would be starting my business from scratch, it's definitely been an adventure of trial and error. I am not afraid to try things at least once, and if it doesn't work, I go back to the drawing board (no pun intended) and see what I can do to change it to work or throw it out completely. DN: If you believe you've embraced technology well in running your business, tell us what you did or how you did it. ER: With any type of business anymore, you need not be afraid of technology but embrace it and know and understand that it does have its limitations and can't be depended on 100%. Within my industry, I feel you have to convert to using some technology and it can actually be kind of fun and show people something they wouldn't have possibly thought of. Depending on the software a designer uses, they can show clients anything from what their project can look like in 3D and do walk-throughs, to having clients on the coasts and sending them mood boards and concepts using AI. DN: What inspires you to get out of bed every morning? ER: The opportunity to transform environments and see the positive impact on my clients' lives motivates me to start each day with passion and enthusiasm. I also love the fact that every day is different and no two spaces are ever the same. DN: What is the best business advice you ever received? ER: "Don't think of others as competition, think of them as people to collaborate with, it'll get you much further and help you all grow." DN: What are the one or two things within your business that you need to improve upon over the next 12 months? ER: Enhancing and growing my online presence and marketing strategies to reach a broader audience and showcase my portfolio more effectively. DN: What interesting fact about your business don't most people know? ER: I am the only one that is working my business, and that I also have an e-design portion where I work with clients all over the U.S. DN: What is your favorite book? ER: Too many to name! DN: What is your favorite genre of music or favorite musical group? ER: I pretty much listen to anything from classical to rock. As long as it's not all screaming, I am not too picky. DN: When you're not working, what is your favorite thing to do? ER: Traveling or reading, I love to visit historical places and especially those with great architecture. London was probably my favorite for all the history and architecture it has. Greece was also great. I also loved the Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., again, the architecture! I definitely recommend visiting and staying on the estate! DN: What one bit of advice would you give to a young person looking to get started in operating their own business? ER: Don't be afraid to try new things and to not get mad or frustrated if it doesn't work: this is going back to that trial and error I had with starting mine, and still have now. Editor's note: Business Spotlight is produced by the newsroom of DecorahNews.com and is not a paid advertisement. The goal is to recognize area businesses by telling their stories. It is challenging to be an entrepreneur, regardless of the type or age of the business. DecorahNews.com recognizes the huge role that businesses play in our rural communities. If you own a business in Decorah or Winneshiek county and would like to be considered for an upcoming Business Spotlight, tell us about your business here.