Layne-Worthey project

Reflecting on 15 years of running interior design firm, Spectrum Design Group (SDG), I’ve realized that growing a business is filled with challenges and valuable lessons. The road has not always been straight, but it has been incredibly rewarding, and along the way, I’ve gained insights that continue to shape our path forward.  From refining our internal culture to navigating industry trends and adapting to unexpected challenges, the evolution of SDG has taught me a lot about resilience, collaboration, and embracing change. Let me share some of the pivotal lessons I’ve learned in this 15-year journey and how they’ve helped build SDG and ensure we remain at the forefront of interior design. Building a Cohesive Team One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that I needed to shift from building my brand to a cohesive company brand to grow sustainably.  For the first several years, I was what you might call a reluctant leader. I had been trained in larger organizations where a bigger vision shaped the culture, but I was hesitant to embrace that level of responsibility myself. I didn’t want to manage employees, deal with strategic planning, or spend much time on business development. I was content serving my clients, delivering design, and managing the basic administrative tasks. The problem with that model is that it isn’t scalable. As the business grew through word-of-mouth and referrals, I realized that a business built around one person would reach a ceiling. I couldn’t continue doing everything on my own and sustain the level of growth we needed. So, about ten years ago, I decided to start building the SDG brand. I had to invest in people stronger than me in various areas, from team management to business strategy.  It hasn’t been easy, and it’s taken years of hard work and adaptation. But now, we have a cohesive team of incredibly talented individuals, all contributing to the company’s overall success. I’m incredibly proud of our studio culture because it allows us to deliver exceptional results I could never have achieved alone. Thriving Amidst Challenges Like any business, SDG has faced its fair share of challenges. But one of the most unexpected challenges came with the pandemic. In a matter of months, the demand for our services quadrupled. This forced us to scale quickly in a shifting landscape—supply chain disruptions, inflation, labor shortages, and the need to manage e-learning for our kids at home.  Yet, in many ways, Covid became a friend to SDG. It forced us to adapt, become more efficient, and refine our processes. It also pushed us to grow our team, bring on new experts, and further integrate technology into our workflows. We learned to manage the increasing demand and the changing expectations of our clients, who needed more than ever. The Role of Technology at SDG Technology has always been a key component of our operations. We’ve leveraged technology to enhance our creative processes, streamline operations, and improve client experiences. One of the things I’m most passionate about is reducing complexity wherever we can. That means embracing apps and technology that provide simplicity, speed, and, ultimately, benefit our clients. Technology is a tool, not the art itself. It’s been transformative for us, especially in areas like BIM (Building Information Modeling), 3D rendering, and communication tools. By embracing these innovations incrementally, we’ve offered our clients more immersive design experiences, better project management, and faster, more accurate results. For example, technology has allowed us to automate repeatable tasks, which frees up time for us to focus on the creative aspects of design and spend more time in front of clients. While our tools have evolved, our commitment to integrating technology to benefit the client experience remains unchanged. Trust Combined with Collaboration While collaboration is essential, I’ve learned that trust is the true foundation of a successful project. A great example of this is the Layne-Worthey project. The most important thing in our work with this client was our ability to collaborate, listen, and build a relationship based on trust rather than simply completing a transaction. The project began with open, honest communication about their needs, preferences, and desires for the space. Over time, this led to a truly collaborative process where both sides trusted each other’s expertise and insights. That level of trust allows for more creativity and innovation, resulting in a space that exceeds expectations. The key to achieving this success is collaboration and a genuine commitment to understanding our client’s needs and building long-term relationships beyond the project. Embracing Emerging Trends In Interior Design The interior design industry is always evolving, and one of the most significant changes we’re seeing is the increasing accessibility of high-end products. Years ago, many of the materials and products we used were available only to trade professionals. More and more consumers have direct access to these products, which is a double-edged sword.  On the one hand, it’s great because it fosters greater awareness and demand for higher-quality design materials. On the other hand, it has led to an influx of “me-too” designs driven by algorithms. Consumers often rely on online inspiration to create cookie-cutter spaces lacking personality. As designers, our role is to navigate this sea of options and help homeowners create truly personal and unique spaces. In addition to product accessibility, we’ve also seen the rise of online and remote design consultations. While working remotely has become more appealing, interior design is inherently relational. At SDG, we value face-to-face interactions and deeper relationships with personalized design services. While technology allows us to work remotely, we know that the true essence of great design is built on human connection. The Future of Interior Design and Our Approach Looking ahead, I’m optimistic about the future of interior design. Technological advances, new materials, and more accessible products will continue to shape our industry in exciting ways. As always, the challenge for SDG is to stay sharp, relevant, and agile in the face of change. As we move forward, we’ll continue to