Meet Lara Sachs-Fishman
May 8, 2009 by Kelli Claypool
Filed under A Truly Outstanding Woman
I recently received an interview questionnaire from Lara Fishman, the founder of Storm Interiors and Designer’s call. Lara is a fascinating and Truly Outstanding Woman, so let’s get on with the interview.
Q: What is your name, the name of your company and when did you start it?
A: Lara Sachs-Fishman
Storm Interiors (2000) www.storminteriors.com
Designers Call (2008) www.designerscall.com
The mission of Storm Interiors is to deliver high quality design and products that are customized to each client’s aesthetic and lifestyle; tastefully integrating styles in a thoughtful way.
Designers Call’s mission is to deliver design assistance and products to a new untapped marketplace that would normally not avail themselves to these things. This design friendly market has made stores like Pottery Barn and West Elm successful, but still needs guidance and expertise to personalize and maximize their design sensibilities. Designers Call is a refined version of the traditional design process; more efficient and better value without sacrificing style.
Q: What was the motivation behind your company?
A: For Storm – to make spaces exceptional – a clever mix of the traditional, modern and even non-traditional aesthetic; collaborating with talented architects, clients, and skilled craftsman.
For Designers Call – to help democratize design for the masses, giving them access to great design and products with more affordable design solutions.
Q: How long did it take you to earn a profit from your business?
A: With Storm it’s been back and forth…with DC – it has already generated profit but as a start-up, we are putting our resources back into the business to make it better – better marketing, better website, customer service, etc…what’s exciting about DC is that it has launched at a time that is ripe for such a business – the economy has forced us all to cut back and get the most for our dollar and at the same time, now more than ever, people are spending more time at home so they want that environment to be as comfortable and beautiful as possible.
Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them?
A: Educating this new marketplace on what interior designers can do (at least DC designers.) Most of us know that interior design has been for higher net worth individuals and we are trying to shift this paradigm, so it’s about sharing our success stories with our marketplace and demystifying interior design
Q: Did you ever feel like just giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going?
A: No, never. I’m passionate about good design and sharing it with others and seeing the response people have to it is continually rewarding. It’s amazing to see DC clients who literally cry when they see their transformed spaces, who otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make such a change on their own.
Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur?
A:
Well, I am still learning this …allowing your kids to really know and participate in your business when/if appropriate so they feel empowered. My daughters visit the studio only at certain times of the day and when they are with us, they have their jobs…the other day they were rendering carpet studies. In terms of discipline, I believe it’s born from a real passion for what you do and from there motivation and time management follow suit.
Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success?
A: My mom and her impeccable style and taste
Q: What is your favorite quote, saying, Proverb, or scripture?
A:
“The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom and when you cease to dream you cease to exist.” - William Blake
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship?
A: Make sure you want it and have a budget – a reasonable one
Q: What are a few goals for you or your business this year?
A: To continue to streamline and refine the design process for DC and its clients
To attract and retain more happy clients
Ultimately, to create a franchise model
Q: Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
A: We live in Los Angeles (Brentwood). My husband and I have two girls, 7 & 5, and a dog Marvin Gaye. I love yoga and exercise and am an avid auctioneer. My world inspires me as does my family.
As I said, Lara is Truly Outstanding! Please, take a moment and visit her websites:
Thank you so much, Lara, for allowing us to learn about you!
Until next time, wear your heels well!
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