Can I make a living at it?

Question

I love organizing, design and decorating. I have no formal training in any of it but if HGTV gave degrees I think I would have a doctorate, as well as real life experience solving real problems with real money. I have a good eye but no real sewing or building skills. I am an excellent bargain hunter and shopper and I am very creative and crafty.

I am in the helping professions right now and facing burnout. My jobs have always been therapy related, and oddly enough, in some way it has always been in someone's home...nanny, group homes, homeless and women's shelters where my organizing skills were greatly appreciated. But the meat of my career is listening and caring and helping them meet their own life goals.

I don't think it is such a far stretch really, do you? I don't really want to freelance or run a home business...would a design firm hire me? I'm not thinking about a froofroo company, I would want to work with real people in real spaces, emphasis on the pretty but practical.

Answer 1

You're in the perfect position to ask design firms you are interested in working for to grant you an informational interview.

Basically, you research firms in the areas you want to work until you find firms you feel you might be interested in working in.

Then, you call them up, ask specifically for one of the designers or owners by name, and when you get them request an informational interview. Let them know you are someone who is simply considering a career change, and want to get to know more about their profession, what the requirements would be to get an entry level job, what kind of salary level you could anticipate, and their recommendations for anything you would need to do to qualify.

The informational interview gets you in the door of a place and allows you to make some connections with people who may be in a position to hire you.

Also, it puts you on their radar. Perhaps they do have the need for someone in a very entry level capacity who does not need prior experience or specialized education.

Of course, after each informational interview, follow-up with a well-written thank you letter. This can show off your professional communication skills, and reinforces you in their mind.

If someone recommends a specific school or course, etc. which you decide to pursue, be sure to use that as another opportunity to write to them and thank them for the recommendation, letting them know it was their recommendation which convinced you of that course of action.

Also, don't forget to ask at the end of each interview if the person knows anyone else in the business they would recommend you speak with.

And ... find out if there are any trade associations in your area that you can join. They are a great way to network with people in the same industry, find out about job openings, and get known yourself as someone who can be counted on.

Good luck with your career change. I did the same thing when I was in my late 20s and it was the best thing I ever did.

Answer 2

I am a professional organizer. I have no "Formal" training except experience at organizing just about everyone of the bosses I've ever had.
I have a woman in my leads club who is an interior redesigner (like Freestyle on HGTV) if you liked you could do both.
Get some business cards made and go to a couple of networking function (chamber of commerce, or check out a leads group like BNI or Leads Club, also Le Tip) usually you can go the first two times with out being a member and find a group that you fit into. Most of the leads groups, like the ones mentioned, have a one per industry rule so if you show up and someone does what your looking to do...you can do one of two things 1)talk about the other one (ie someone is a designer- talk about organizing) or 2) look for a group that you wouldn't compete in either industry.
In trying to promote myself, I find ways to get people to ask me what I do. I mention a client (real or pretent) that just had the same problem I over heard you say. Stuff like that works too.
There was someone that mentioned talking to firms and that's totally a great idea. Just because you apply doesn't mean you have to take the position. If your not sure ask if you can hang around their office one afternoon to observe or something. And make sure they know your plan of what you would like to do. Remember ask for what you want, the worst they'll say is no.
Good luck!
Good luck.

Answer 3

Stan "The Man" Musial. 3630 hits, 475 HRs, 1951 RBIs, walked 1599 occasions in comparison to best 696 strikeouts. Three time MVP, and used to be an All-Star each and every unmarried season for the duration of his profession. (22 occasions) Seven time NL Batting champ, led the league in hits six occasions, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Answer 4

I think you could make a go of it....start your own business and that way you could run it however you wanted and specialize in whatever area you wanted too!!! Good Luck and I'm wishing you the best!!!!

Answer 5

couldn't hurt to try. the worst that could happen is they say no. good luck.

Answer 6

You will never know until you try. If it is your dream go for it.