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Rachel Halvorson on why community beats competition

Rachel Halvorson launched her interior design business in Nashville following the 2008 recession, a period that initially seemed inauspicious but ultimately proved to be a pivotal moment for her career. Having recently graduated from an interior design program at the University of Georgia and gained experience working at a home retail store and a local design firm, Halvorson found her schedule reduced to four days a week due to the economic downturn. This unexpected free time allowed her to begin taking on small, independent design projects. She recognized a growing demand in Nashville for fresh, contemporary designers, contrasting with more traditional styles, which positioned her perfectly to meet the evolving market needs. Her strategic approach paid off, enabling her to transition from her full-time job to focusing entirely on her own firm. When project leads slowed down in 2010, Halvorson demonstrated her adaptability and resourcefulness by re-engaging with a former customer, country music star Ronnie Dunn, from her retail days. Dunn, who was undergoing a significant renovation, readily welcomed her services. This connection proved instrumental, with one of her early projects subsequently featured on the cover of *Garden & Gun* magazine, generating a significant influx of new client inquiries. As her firm expanded, Halvorson realized that creative work and strong client relationships, while crucial, needed to be supported by robust business practices to sustain growth. She began by hiring administrative staff to manage the increasing workload and streamline operations. To further refine her business strategy, she sought advice from fellow designers met at High Point Market, collaborating rather than competing to gain insights into effective management. Implementing these structural changes allowed her to reclaim time for creative endeavors, emphasizing the importance of intentionally carving out time for design work to prevent burnout and ensure the quality of her output. Halvorson's narrative highlights her resilience in navigating economic challenges and her proactive approach to building a successful design practice. She discusses her strategies for handling clients with limited budgets and the experience that led her to establish her own construction team. A central theme of her success is her philosophy of leveraging community and collaboration within the industry, rather than viewing other designers solely as competitors. This collaborative mindset has been key to finding her niche and fostering growth in the dynamic design landscape of Nashville. #interiorDesign #businessAdvice #entrepreneurship #designIndustry #nashvilleDesign #careerGrowth #communityOverCompetition #podcast #tradeTales #interiorDesign #businessAdvice #entrepreneurship #designIndustry #nashvilleDesign #careerGrowth #communityOverCompetition #podcast #tradeTales

37 months ago

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How the Share Shed in the UK is Building Community

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The Share Shed in Totnes, Devon, U.K., initiated with support from the Network of Wellbeing and the Big Lottery Fund, operates as a "library of things." This initiative allows community members to borrow various tools and equipment, addressing needs that individuals might not be able to afford or justify purchasing. Launched this year, the Share Shed has quickly gained traction, indicating a positive community response to the concept of collaborative consumption. Roger Higman, director of the Network of Wellbeing, conducted an interview with Mark Jeffreys, the manager of Share Shed, to assess the project's progress three months after its launch. Jeffreys highlighted the core philosophy of the Share Shed as encouraging individuals to consider borrowing rather than buying. He noted that the project aims to foster a more resourceful and connected community by promoting sharing in various forms. This goal is pursued by steadily increasing membership and maintaining a continuous exchange of items. The community has actively supported the Share Shed, donating over 150 items for lending. Among these, the strimmer has emerged as the most popular item. The collection also features unusual items like a unicycle and lawn aerators that strap onto boots, showcasing the diverse range of goods available for borrowing. The project has already attracted over 70 members, demonstrating its early success in engaging the local populace. Jeffreys shared a notable anecdote about a guitar that was borrowed for three consecutive weeks, ultimately inspiring the borrower to purchase their own. This experience underscores the Share Shed's impact beyond mere lending, extending to fostering personal interests and facilitating access to hobbies. The project's role in community rebuilding is also significant, with many positive interactions and conversations occurring between volunteers and passers-by, which Jeffreys views as a crucial aspect of the Share Shed's contribution. Looking ahead, Jeffreys envisions expanding the Share Shed's offerings. Immediate plans include installing a wooden bench crafted by Landworks, intended to encourage conversations among visitors, complemented by the availability of tea. Long-term aspirations involve moving into a larger facility that could host skill-sharing workshops, a repair cafe, and a dedicated space for organizing and maintaining the growing inventory of donated items. Jeffreys hopes that the Totnes Share Shed will serve as an inspiration for other communities to establish similar projects, believing that the concept of a "library of things" is particularly timely and relevant. #ShareShed #CommunityBuilding #CollaborativeConsumption #LibraryOfThings #ResourceSharing #SustainableLiving #Totnes #SocialInnovation #CircularEconomy

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Rachel Halvorson on why community beats competition