Designing woman | A conversation with Annie Kiladjian of Annie K Designs in Portland
Founded: August 2007
Employees: Kiladjian
Startup costs: $10,000
Projected revenue, year one: $25,000
Projected revenue, year two: $50,000
Contact: 807-1131
www.anniekdesigns.com
Tell me about what you do at Annie K Designs.
I work directly with the customer to create the ultimate kitchen or bath layout. We then review the 3D computer renderings so that they can envision what their space will look like. I review the design, making the customer understand what I have done and why I have done it. The next step is getting the materials to complete their job. I work with local companies using their products, negotiating the best prices so that the customers know they are being taken care of. I then coordinate with their contractor the timelines so that they may have everything they need on time, causing minimal delays. I started this company primarily focusing on kitchens and baths, but have been requested to do the design work for many other rooms in the home.
Why did you decide to start a kitchen and bath design company in Maine?
Having my own business has been my dream for a very long time. After having gone through the experience of building a home and having worked in the industry, I knew how important design and budget are to the building process. I’ve always loved interior design. I grew up in Montreal and studied fashion. Fashion is not as key in Maine but I felt there was a need for interior design, so I learned the trade and worked at a New England kitchen designer where I gained a lot of knowledge and learned the trade on job sites and through studying the process.
How is your company financed? What were some of the challenges related to financing?
I financed it myself through savings and through a personal credit line. There weren’t many challenges because I knew what I needed to start.
How do you market your business?
All the business I have received since I started has been through referrals. My initial customers were previous clients who knew that I was starting my own business and they’d give my name out to other people. I started out with two or three previous clients who know I am detail-oriented, have strong follow-through skills and would not let them down. I also take part in many design-focused organizations, as well as being in a local business networking chapter. I’m currently working on putting my first ad in a local Maine magazine.
What’s been your biggest challenge thus far, in terms of growing your business?
My website! I need to hire someone to take care of that aspect of the business. The web has to be a big part and I have to make sure I’m on the top of searches so people can find me and so I show up everywhere. I think I’m 100th down in the search for “kitchen design.” It’s also difficult to get clientele to want to hire a designer in this economy, but because of word of mouth, it hasn’t been a huge problem for me.
Where do you see the business going in the future?
Growing my business is my ultimate goal. I’d like to reach as many people as I can with the connections that I’ve made through the years. I’d love Annie K Designs to be a household name. I’d also love to get a storefront if I could. I work out of my house now so people can see how I live and see my personal touch. They put their trust and money into you, so bringing them here to see where I live gives them a personal tie. I’d like to grow into something steadier, maybe add a furniture or fabric line. I’d love to grow and have more people working with me.
Do you have a lot of competition?
From what I know, I’m the only one doing this right now in Portland, but I haven’t really researched the competition so I could be wrong. My niche is in working with the customer. Personal service and taking care of the customer is my primary goal. I give them a design within their price range and I help them prioritize what they need to save money. Whatever the budgetary limitations, I can offer a great design at the right price. It doesn’t matter if you’re a millionaire or have a $100,000 house; I can work with any budget.
Interview by Mercedes Grandin
New Entrepreneurs profiles young businesses, 6-18 months old. Send your suggestions and contact information to editorial@mainebiz.biz.
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