Designers discuss their biggest challenges this year

As we near the end of 2024, our sister publication Designers Today asked designers to name the biggest issue that impacted their business this year. Here’s what they said:

Andrea Hutchman, Poppy Interiors, Los Angeles: “This year, my focus has been on growing bigger. I hired an assistant, which has been game changing. I also am interested in working in other states across the country, so I took part in a design showhouse in New York [the Kingston Design Showhouse]. It felt risky, but I’ve met so many great people. Designers don’t often work on the same house together, so it’s been really great to see other points of view and other ways to achieve a final design.”

DuVäl Reynolds, DuVäl Design, Fairfax, Va.: “This year, we prioritized managing sustainable growth by closely monitoring the profitability of every project. As a team, we were intentional in selecting clients, considering not only their design aesthetic and budget but also the brands we could source to optimize revenue and profitability. We had set goals to hit per month and navigated our design project timelines and moved things around to stay on schedule for our budgets.”

Jennifer Mabley and Austin Handler, Mabley Handler, New York City/Hamptons/Palm Beach, Fla.: “The biggest issue that impacted our business this year was opening a home furnishings store and design studio in West Palm Beach… So, it was a little bit of a self-inflicted issue! But in the broader sense, we have been looking to diversify our business opportunities and spread into markets where we see opportunities for our design aesthetic and our brand, and the Palm Beach area certain has those opportunities. It’s also not a bad place to have to ‘go to work’ in the middle of winter!”

Kurt Jacob Miller and Lukas Mack, Jacob Lukas Design, Chicagoland: “Indecisive clients! Ugh. We would get to the ordering phase and they would change their minds or put things ‘on hold’ for now. (Eye roll.) We remind them that a quote is typically only good for 30 days and that particular wallcovering or fabric might not be available or at that cost when they finally make up their minds!”

Traci Connell, Traci Connell Interiors, Dallas: “Our website was hacked, which completely removed our site from Google. It impacted our lead generation significantly, however, we leaned into our referral base and alternative marketing incentives, which proved to be fruitful. Also, we had to hire a developer to remove all the corrupted pages from the site and a heavy-duty SEO team to build up the credentials with Google again. I strongly recommend that designers purchase cyber security insurance!”

Corey Damen Jenkins, Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates, New York: “For us, navigating the ever-changing landscape of product brand acquisitions, mergers and showroom closings has been a challenge, but we remain focused on delivering the best for our clients. Our firm is dedicated to supporting small businesses whenever we can. We realize it’s hard out there, and are empathetic to that fact.”

Heather and Matt French, French and French Interiors, Santa Fe, N.M.: “This year, like many in the design industry, we faced supply chain challenges that significantly impacted our timelines and project flow. We responded by diversifying our supplier base, working closely with trusted artisans and local craftspeople, and proactively setting client expectations regarding potential delays. Communication was key, and we were able to navigate these obstacles by keeping everyone informed and collaborating on creative solutions.”

Jessica Duce, JDuce Design, Spring, Texas: “My biggest issue impacting my business in 2024 was how to divide and focus my time and messaging running two different companies. I have had to restructure my processes and hire additional help. I was doing a lot of things not as well as I should because I was afraid to expand.”

Antonio DeLoatch, Antonio DeLoatch Design + Interiors, New York City/Los Angeles: “While many might point to the election year or the fluctuating real estate market as key issues, I’d say the biggest challenge for my business has been getting our New York clients to say yes. After spending 10 years in Los Angeles, I mastered the art of the sales pitch and developed a deep understanding of my clientele. Now, with two years of being ‘boots on the ground’ in New York City, I no longer feel like the new guy on the block, and I believe my experience and expertise are being recognized. However, the biggest hurdle I’ve encountered is securing client commitment. It’s been a learning curve, but we’re continuously refining our approach to align with the unique needs of the New York market. One of the best pieces of advice I received this year was to get out of the room full of interior designers and to get into the room full of potential clients!”

Catherine Weinstock, CW Design, Brooklyn, N.Y.: “Project timelines: Project timelines can be difficult to manage, as unexpected delays (such as supply chain issues, construction delays or client indecision) often disrupt schedules. This can lead to client frustration.

Compliance with building codes: this is especially the case when dealing with a NYC co-op apartment wherein each building has strict parameters insofar as what can be done as well as the hours permitted to do work. As an interior designer, it is necessary to comply with local building codes and safety regulations, which requires a strong understanding of legal restrictions and requirements. A lot of follow up from my side is necessitated – these days more than usual. And needless to say, a huge amount of patience is required.”