01. The Failures That Built Me: How Betting on Myself Led to Building My Dream Design Business

In this episode, I open up about my own entrepreneurial journey. A path that, honestly, started with what felt like three major failures.My very first design job out of college was at a small boutique firm. I had interned there previously, built great relationships, and landed what felt like my dream “big girl” job. But as time went on, I found myself craving more responsibility, more creativity - just more. It became clear that there was no room to grow in that role, and although it was heartbreaking, I left. Walking away from what I thought was a forever job felt like a loss of identity. I questioned everything - was I even a designer anymore?Next came a role at an architecture firm. But this was during the pandemic, and to be honest, the job barely existed. There’s not much to say other than it also ended, and even though I didn’t feel as crushed, it still stung. Another job, another chapter closed.Then came the construction company and surprisingly, this was probably my favorite job of them all. I was there for almost a year and genuinely thought I was on the path to something bigger. I started working toward a senior role, and for a while, everything felt aligned. But then, out of nowhere, the owner let me know I wouldn’t be moving up, I’d remain in a junior role. Three years into my career, and it felt like I was stuck in place. Again. I wanted autonomy. I wanted creativity. I wanted more. So, I left. Again.Three jobs in three years… cough yikes.After the construction job, I hit a crossroads: Do I go find yet another job and keep trying to prove myself to someone else? Or do I bet on me?I was so deeply over the cycle of trying to convince people of my worth. I knew what I brought to the table. I just needed the chance to show it. So, I took the leap and launched Alder and Stone Interiors.In my first two years of business, I profited somewhere around $100K. (I could crunch the exact numbers, but we’ll just round it.) Yep $100,000. And every dollar was a reminder that leaving those jobs wasn’t failure. It was redirection.So, if you take anything from this story, let it be this: always bet on yourself. You might just be amazed at what you can build.This Episode was brought to you by Vetted by Design If you are looking to outsource anything in your design business check out Vetted by Design to find some amazing highly vetted pros you can trust to help you grow your business. www.vetted-bydesign.comhttps://www.instagram.com/vettedbydesign/Connect with all things Founders & Friendshttps://www.instagram.com/foundersandfriendspod/https://www.facebook.com/groups/1706365610291273