I’m in a state of flux. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is a creative/work/business related shift going on.
It’s a year since I launched my interior design business and website. I was still working my notice in my old job, but launched the business anyway because I knew it would take time to build and waiting until I was ‘ready’ was never going to happen. I’m glad I did that.
So much has happened since and I am constantly learning about business and, more importantly, about myself. An aspect of my work that I relish right now is the act of reflection and thinking - Did that work? If so, why? If not, why not?
These are questions that teachers ask themselves all the time, so my training is serving me well as I navigate the new territories of business ownership. It’s fun.
This week I’ve decided to make a couple of changes to some aspects of my work.
Writing on Substack
Previously I was writing two Substack posts per week. Wednesday for all subscribers and Sunday for paid. I thrived on that consistency and it helped me to navigate and process what was going on in my work and life. Now, I don’t feel I need to write so regularly.
I took a short break over Easter to reset, and I will now post fortnightly on Wednesdays for all subscribers, and weekly on Sundays for paid. I am well aware that most of you probably don’t give a toss about when I post - I never notice when others change their posting schedule, so why would you! It does mean that there will be more content for paid subscribers than free, and I think that feels right for me.
Paid subscribers please skip this paragraph, but if you’re a free subscriber, I encourage you to consider upgrading to paid so you can receive everything. It will give you access to all Create Ensemble sessions (details of the next one below) as well as voiceovers and other paywalled content. An annual subscription costs £40. To put the cost into perspective, that covers 2 months of my Zoom subscription (after Substack and Stripe fees) which I use to host the Create Ensemble sessions.
Interior Design Services
For almost a year now, I’ve been offering just one service for interior design clients in the form of a one-hour consultation. It currently costs £150 and for that fee I visit in person, spend an hour looking at the space(s) and talking to the client about their needs/likes/dislikes and then afterwards I write it all up and send to them. Some clients have then required more assistance with their project and I price this up depending on what it is they want and how long I think it will take me.
I’ve learned so much during this process and am feeling confident to make some changes to my services.
There are plans to up the price of the one-hour consultation as the reality is that the hourly rate works out quite low, especially with the write up afterwards.
A new service has been added to my website. This is a more in-depth offering which includes a one-hour consultation, a digital sample board for the room, all information on where to source items with costs and stock availability and project support throughout via phone/text/email. This service will be priced at £550. Here is an example of a digital sample board that I created recently for a client’s bathroom, with the (almost) finished version of the bathroom below it.
The bathroom client is very happy ("obsessed” was the single word that accompanied this photo). She has also kindly written a testimonial for me, which I have proudly added to my website: www.hannahashe.co.uk
The third service is going to be launched in a few weeks. I’m working on a downloadable guide to sourcing materials and furnishings which will be available on my website. More on that soon.
Create Ensemble - Wednesday 1st May, 7:30pm (BST)
It’s been a while since the last Create Ensemble and I’ve missed it! I was hoping to restart next week, but realised I’m off to the theatre next Wednesday with a friend. We’re going to see the musical Bonnie and Clyde as our other friend and ex-colleague is the musical director. I’m looking forward to it!
With that in mind, the next Create Ensemble will take place on Wednesday 1st May at 7:30pm (BST).
Come and join me for an hour of writing, making or creating in whatever form you choose.
We begin with a few words of welcome and introduction and then crack on with our creative project keeping cameras on and sound muted. It's a wonderful way to have some accountability for your work in a supportive and kind environment.
At the end of the session we check in with each other. There's no pressure to share your work; it's about doing rather than sharing.
I'd love to welcome you! The link is available below the paywall. Upgrade your subscription now so that you can register and also hear the voiceover to this post.
Wishing you all a creative and happy week ahead. I’ll be back on Wednesday. See you then!
Hannah x