One of the many questions we get asked continuously is, “How did you guys do it? How did all three of you transition into Interior Design?” Some people ask because they are genuinely curious, but others ask because they themselves want to transition into the field. We’ve had quite a few people DM us on Instagram for advice and direction. We didn’t realize how many people seek guidance on how to transition into Interior Design whether it’s from a career they no longer are passionate about or even how to get started as a student. Regardless, we’re happy that they reached out to us! It seemed like the perfect opportunity to write about it and tell you about our personal experience. Suppose you are one of those people who love being creative, have excellent critical thinking skills, love the change in the work environment, or are just simply passionate about Interior Design. In that case, understanding the steps to get there is important. In this article, I will discuss why we left our previous careers, how we took the leap of faith and started from nothing, and most importantly, how we believed in ourselves.
1. We left our previous careers
Before designing homes, we were always home enthusiasts but had careers in different fields. Melissa was working in human resources and in the financial field. Paola was working at a pharmaceutical company and I, Angelica was living in California studying Interior Design. But, before I began to study Interior Design I thought I wanted to be a nurse, a police officer, or even a journalist. I changed my major more times than I can even remember. I ended up earning a communication degree and then decided I wanted to pursue Interior Design. At the time, I thought I wanted to open a staging company with no thought of creating our design firm now, Three Sisters Interiors. At the time that we created our company, Paola had been a stay-at-home mom for a couple of years with the thought of one day returning to work. Melissa was working at her corporate job but had begun taking a home-flipping course. She fell even more in love with designing. One day, a lightbulb lit up in my head. I texted my sisters and said, “What do you think if we opened our own Interior Design company? We all love Interior Design and we’re good at it! Let’s call it Three Sisters Interiors!” My sisters immediately loved the idea! It just made perfect sense. I was graduating that semester and it was the perfect timing in everyone’s life. Without hesitation, we got to work!
2. We took the leap of faith
It sounds easier said than done but yes, we took the leap of faith. After doubting ourselves, long nights, googling, and sometimes tears, we created an LLC for our business, we created our website from scratch, began creating 3D renders to showcase our talents, we started posting on Instagram and brainstorming on how to get our name out there. It wasn’t easy, but we are here today because we took that leap of faith. We haven’t reached our ultimate goal, but I know we will get there one day. There is no book on this. You have designers who are self-taught and people who graduate from a 4-year university. None of that really matters. When people hire an interior designer, they hire you for your eye and talent and your ability to bring a room to life through your design skills. Of course, this isn’t the type of career you can jump in without having the technical knowledge to learn such as floor plans, elevations, 3D renders, etc. You must remember that you are writing the manual to your contractors on how to execute and bring your designs to life, so those skills matter. A great school for Interior Design is Rocky Mountain School of art + design (RMCAD) or New York Institute of Art + Design (NYIAD). A great influence in Interior Design is The Little Design Corner on Instagram. Her courses are phenomenal! However, if Interior Design is your passion then there is no reason you can’t learn the technical knowledge and pursue it. Everyone starts from nothing, but because you started, you end up having more than what you started with.
Below is an image of a sketch we did when we first started designing our logo and building our brand. It’s so funny to see how much we have evolved since then! We clearly didn’t stick with the idea but it was a great start!
3. We learned from our experiences
The best way to learn, especially in this field is to learn from experiences. The school will teach you the skills, but not the hands-on experiences. When I was in school, they taught me a lot about commercial design, which I now appreciate because it advanced my skillset, but it didn’t teach me how to write a proposal, how to bill a client, or even what we’re worth charging. Before I graduated, I worked as a Design Assistant for two companies and interned at a local women-owned interior design firm in San Diego, California. Through those experiences, I began to learn the real world of Interior Design. But it wasn’t easy to get there. I had worked in customer service since I started working at 15.
I will never forget my first job! Believe it or not, I did labor work maintaining the local parks, which included shoveling dirt, building new picnic tables, planting new trees for the community, and even heavy lifting. It was anything but pretty looking. I then moved on to work as a lifeguard, and preschool teacher for the YMCA, Sephora, and Waitressing. All while I was going to school full-time. There was a point when I worked two jobs and was a full-time student. I was so determined that I got straight A’s all through college. I’m not bragging here, I’m saying this to make a point that I learned from so many experiences up to this point. The same goes for my sisters! It wasn’t easy for us. We have worked hard since we were little to get what we wanted and where we wanted to be. Our dad died when I was 3 so my mom was left a single mother of 4 kids. Financially, it wasn’t easy so we grew up working to help our mom, buy ourselves a car, pay for school and buy our own personal wants. The hard work never stops! We are still learning and growing every day. My sister’s experiences in the corporate world and school have been essential to this business and I couldn’t have done any of this without them.
Below are two examples of work I’ve done. The first image is one of my first 3D renders ever created! It definitely does not resonate with my current style but that’s okay! When I look at the second image I think about all the time and growth that got me there and I’m so grateful for it all!
4. We believed in ourselves
Believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will. Again, easier said than done, but trust me, we also have days where we feel like imposters. Imposter syndrome is a real thing and very common. Even the most successful people have imposter syndrome like Lady Gaga. In her HBO documentary, she admitted, “I still sometimes feel like a loser kid in high school and I just have to pick myself up and tell myself that I’m a superstar every morning so that I can get through this day and be for my fans what they need for me to be.” To believe in yourself is to believe that you can succeed. It is about having the confidence to wake up every day and know that you are capable to achieve success, but it never defines you. You might ask, “Well how do I find that confidence?” To me, confidence stems from creating good habits. I feel good about myself when I have gone to the gym, showered, and eaten breakfast all before 8 am and then start my day. Find what works for you and makes you feel confident to accomplish anything!
After learning a little bit about our journey, I hope I have motivated you to do what makes you happy. We are more alike than you think and the key is just to start. Go at your own pace as long as you are being fulfilled by it. If you’re reading this, I applaud you for taking the initiative to do something you love whether it’s transitioning into a different career or you are a student looking for the next steps in this field.
If you want to see more of our work or life, follow us on Instagram @threesistersinteriors and check out our business website. Questions are welcome in the comments below!