One of my daily blog reads is Pink Wallpaper by Shannon Darby. Several years ago, out of a need to unload some “stuff” in her attic (designer’s are known for not being able to pass up a good deal!) and make some extra money, Shannon started The Designer’s Attic….a daily blog which offers high-end designer fabrics at big discounts. Every day, Shannon lists a new fabric, mostly small yardages, but enough to make a small window shade, recover a chair seat, or enough to make pillows. I wanted to feature Shannon and her business, The Designer’s Attic, because she found a need in the market, made it happen and has been enjoying her success ever since!!
What did you do before you started Designer’s Attic?
My background has been in design since my college days. I started working at a high-end interior design firm in Charleston, SC when I was 20. I was known as the “sample girl”. I put away all of the fabrics that the designer and assistants pulled, I priced new fabrics that arrived, and I checked in the new inventory. I think this is where my love for fabric started. I would study those fabrics all day…I learned all of the manufacturers, the patterns/names, the categories they belonged in, the price points, etc…I think, I was just a sponge. And even though it wasn’t a high paying job and the position was at the very bottom, it taught me so much. I ended up staying at that design firm for the next 7 years and eventually was the senior design assistant. I learned everything about design in those 7 years. It was such a fabulous job to have. And the girls that worked with me were amazing…it was like a little sorority. We all ended up spreading our wings and starting our own firms. Kind of crazy. I started Shannon Darby Design 6 years ago, crazy to think about that. Charleston is full of very well known designers but I landed a great contact with a high end spec home builder. He was such a great client. He would build fabulous homes at the beach and I would do the interiors…design the kitchens, bathrooms, select paint colors, lighting, and then stage them. It was a dream job!!!
How did this idea come to you and how did you get it “off the ground” so to speak?
Well, after about a year and a half working with the spec builder, the housing industry tanked. And houses weren’t selling and people weren’t spending money on designers, much less really expensive to-the-trade items. I really didn’t want to go back to a design firm, working under someone (pride probably) and Taylor, my daughter, was 1 and I wanted to be home with her. My husband said, “you better start making money”…so I looked around the house and saw all of these fabrics, furniture, lighting, etc. that I was hoarding and thought, why not try to sell them?!! I already had
Pink Wallpaper and so I I thought maybe my readers might have an interest in some of these things since they loved design. Blogs are free so that part was easy….and literally all of this stuff was sitting in my attic, so I went up, pulled them down and started taking pictures!!
When did you feel like your business was a “success”?
Ha!! A success…..I don’t know….I still feel like I could push myself more. I guess when I realized that I could sell more than 1 yard of fabric. In the beginning, I would buy 1 yard and post it and get excited if it sold. I probably made $10 but it felt so good. I would call my husband and say, “someone bought the yard!!!” I remember finding a roll of Imperial Trellis fabric and I just knew I could sell it. At the time, we didn’t have much money and I was so nervous about buying it. I didn’t tell Warren, my husband, I bought it…..I just ran home, took a picture and posted it and literally in 5 minutes my inbox was flooded with emails.
Do you have any tips or “words of wisdom” for anyone who is looking to start their own business?
You have to love what you do. It takes time, devotion, research, travel and money but it’s all worth it. And you have to have a great support system. I have the best cheerleaders ever. Warren gives me the confidence that I sometimes lack. He really helped me build my company last year and without him, I would still be selling one yard of fabric a day. He cut, folded, packaged and mailed fabric for me for 3 months whiled I was on bed rest with my second child. And my parents and in-laws are so wonderful. They jumped in and babysit when I have to travel and they call me all the time, with excitement in their voice for me when I have a big day. I think everyone in my family, has had to whip out the scissors at some point and help me cut or do a post office run!!!
Which fabrics are your hottest sellers?
Without a doubt Kelly Wearstler, Quadrille, Trina Turk and Celerie Kemble. I try really hard to post things that I would want in my own house and I hope that reflect in my site.
Shannon said she hopes any readers out there who want to go out and start a company, go out and do it!!! She said if she can, so can you!!! She purchased this poster from Esty and every time she looks at it, it makes her believe that much more!!
Thank you so much Shannon for sharing you story with us! Please be sure to check out
The Designer’s Attic if you are in the market for some great designer fabrics. Check early….the fabrics go quickly!!!
I am excited to share a new feature on my blog: Cottage Industry. A cottage industry is any home based business that creates unique, custom products and services. I’m always inspired by creative people who take a leap of faith, believe in their talents and begin their own businesses. Here, you will read about how they got started and maybe it will inspire you, too!
I am happy to introduce you to Emily of Jones Design Company. You may already know her through her blog where she shares her crafty talents through easy to follow tutorials and offers adorable printables. Today, she is sharing a little bit more about herself and her custom paper goods company.
What did you do in your former life before you started Jones Design Company? Before JDC, I was a recent college graduate in my first real job as an assistant for a team of real estate agents. I did the marketing, photographs and general assisting tasks and loved every minute of it. My degree is in Child & Family Psychology and my ultimate dream was to be a mommy, but this job was a great fit at the time. I had always created cards and invitations and when my friends started getting married, I was often the invitation designer. That little business grew as more friends were married, babies were born and families needed custom holiday cards {you can read more about my start here}
Here is a small sampling of what Emily offers.
Where does your inspiration come from and do you ever get in creative ruts? My inspiration comes from all over – I am always looking at fonts on billboards, color combinations in nature, images on blogs and in magazines. I definitely have a creative brain, so I am always thinking of new ideas and love those moments when something great just ‘comes out’. Of course I have my moments of being in ruts … I try to step away from whatever project I am working on and refresh myself. Usually a day or two will pass and I’ll be back on track.
What was the turning point for JDC…how did your business take-off? Jones Design Company started about 8 years ago as a custom stationery design business. It was a great part-time business that allowed me to stay home with my growing family and make an income. I started a blog in the fall of 2009 for my business and one for our family. I decided after just a few months that it was too hard to keep my life separate – my private life and business life are so intertwined that it felt much more natural to just be ‘emily’ and share all of me on my JDC blog. In January 2010 I began blogging regularly and gained readership throughout those first few months.
Do you have any tips or words of wisdom for anyone just starting out? My husband and I hosted a summer boutique in June 2010 {read more here} which was featured on several blogs. With the publicity came new readers and the blog began to grow even more rapidly. Last fall we added our Shop which includes Art Prints that I have designed as well as printables that are downloadable pdf designs. We continue to grow and expand the business – we have a new membership with monthly printable goodies and have a few new exciting products that will be added in the next few months. All to say, we continue to find new ways to expand and I am grateful that I am able to blog and run a business collectively.
Do you have any tips or words of wisdom for anyone just starting out? My best tip is to do something you love. As a business owner, you spend so much of your time, energy, thoughts on your business that it is important that it surrounds something you truly care about.
What is one of your best sellers? Our most popular items are our Art Prints. The scripture line was recently picked up by Dayspring, which is very exciting and validating!
Where to buy. www.JonesDesignCompany.com
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