Ever thought about starting your own business?  How about being an interior designer?  How about both?  Read on to find out how one amazing woman did just that! Name: Abbi Williams Age: 30 Hometown: Alma, GA live in Watkinsville, Ga Official Job Title: Owner/ Principal of Red Door Design Studio What was your major? Where did you go to school? BFA FIne Arts/ 4 year Interior Design Program at the University of Ga What was your first real job? My first job was working in my Dad’s grocery store. It proved to be invaluable practice for improving general people skills and for representing yourself well in public. Being comfortable around people is a must in most professions. And how long have you been with Red Door Design? I have been in the construction business for over 9 years. As a designer, you have to be able to translate your concepts into reality on a jobsite. Great drawings are simply not enough. What are the pros and cons of your job? Pros: Everyday is different: Different clients. Different locations. But personally that increases the appeal of the job in my opinion.  Clients ask me to meet them on a empty lot and we spend the next few hours sketching concepts to work from.  It is very exciting. Cons: Misunderstandings about the variations in a designer’s skill set level.  I recommend to my clients to ask around and be sure they have the right designer for their job. Also be sure you are compatible with the personality of your designer up front. Where do you do most of your work? I have a office off Daniels Bridge Road in Athens.  Personally I have found my clients are more comfortable meeting in a professional atmosphere. But as far as where I do most of my work- definitely at in my office. It is not uncommon to leave work, eat and change clothes, then come back in to knock a few things out. After 5 o’clock it is quieter and I can accomplish an amazing amount if the phone is not ringing! If you could tell current college students/recent grads to do ONE thing this year to help their career, what would it be? Begin working on your resume as a Freshman. Join clubs. Get second or even third jobs related to your field. Be sure you have something the offer your potential employer. Nowadays everyone has a college degree. What do you bring to the table aside from a 4-year degree? Also begin keeping up with contacts…. names, numbers, locations, job descriptions. You will need people as referrals and references, maybe even employers later on down the road. What accomplishment are you proudest of? Being selected to go to Italy on scholarship as a professor’s assistant.  Also publishing research in Germany the same summer (I think showing dedication to excel in your field is priceless).

Ever thought about starting your own business?  How about being an interior designer?  How about both?  Read on to find out how one amazing woman did just that!

Name: Abbi Williams

Age: 30

Hometown: Alma, GA live in Watkinsville, Ga

Official Job Title: Owner/ Principal of Red Door Design Studio

What was your major? Where did you go to school?

BFA FIne Arts/ 4 year Interior Design Program at the University of Ga

What was your first real job?

My first job was working in my Dad’s grocery store. It proved to be invaluable practice for improving general people skills and for representing yourself well in public. Being comfortable around people is a must in most professions.

And how long have you been with Red Door Design?

I have been in the construction business for over 9 years. As a designer, you have to be able to translate your concepts into reality on a jobsite. Great drawings are simply not enough.

What are the pros and cons of your job?

Pros: Everyday is different: Different clients. Different locations. But personally that increases the appeal of the job in my opinion.  Clients ask me to meet them on a empty lot and we spend the next few hours sketching concepts to work from.  It is very exciting.

Cons: Misunderstandings about the variations in a designer’s skill set level.  I recommend to my clients to ask around and be sure they have the right designer for their job. Also be sure you are compatible with the personality of your designer up front.

Where do you do most of your work?

I have a office off Daniels Bridge Road in Athens.  Personally I have found my clients are more comfortable meeting in a professional atmosphere. But as far as where I do most of my work- definitely at in my office. It is not uncommon to leave work, eat and change clothes, then come back in to knock a few things out. After 5 o’clock it is quieter and I can accomplish an amazing amount if the phone is not ringing!

If you could tell current college students/recent grads to do ONE thing this year to help their career, what would it be?

Begin working on your resume as a Freshman. Join clubs. Get second or even third jobs related to your field. Be sure you have something the offer your potential employer. Nowadays everyone has a college degree. What do you bring to the table aside from a 4-year degree?

Also begin keeping up with contacts…. names, numbers, locations, job descriptions. You will need people as referrals and references, maybe even employers later on down the road.

What accomplishment are you proudest of?

Being selected to go to Italy on scholarship as a professor’s assistant.  Also publishing research in Germany the same summer (I think showing dedication to excel in your field is priceless).