Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Messerschmidt.
Emma, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It is interesting how sometimes seemingly insignificant decisions can take one’s path to a completely unknown Journey. Twenty years ago, when I arrived in the USA, I was told my master’s degree from Russia means nothing here in America, so I was facing a dilemma and an exciting opportunity to start a new phase of my life and career from zero.
One lovely weekend my family and I went shopping for furnishings for our home. I was mesmerized by all the choices, endless ways of decorating your home and oh so many ways to express your personal style. We had nothing of these sorts in Russia. In fact, to get any furnishings back in the Soviet Union, one had to get on the waiting list first and then wait months or even years. You had to call the store and check where you were on the list every few months until your name reached number one spot. Everyone wanted to be on that lucky list. The list was A THING. While we were browsing around the stores and contemplating the pros and cons of capitalism vs. communism, the thought crossed my mind: I can see myself working here. The job looks easy. If I don’t know the right word for the item, I can point right to it. Genius!
Six months later, I was working for a local furniture store and had my first order of red barn china cupboard from a young Japanese lady who didn’t know much English either. We went along really great on gestures and enthusiasm. From there, I spent much of my time in between customers flipping through catalogs, expanding my vocabulary, learning about home décor styles and colorful American culture. I have developed a real understanding and a deep passion for mixing colors, patterns, and textures.
When the store started offering in Home Design Services, I would be extremely excited about every opportunity to visit customers’ homes, review their lifestyle needs, and come up with the right furnishings and décor for their home. To better myself in the craft and serve my customers to the highest potential, I started taking evening classes in interior design. Raising a family and working full time while going to school was a real challenge.
The more I learned about interior design, the more I yearned to explore my creativity to the fullest potential and not be limited to furnishings offered by one store. I realized I love working with people and creating beautiful spaces. In 2013, I took a giant but a rewarding risk and started my interior design studio. The name 7 Sisters Interiors dedicated to my six sisters. I understand and deeply appreciate the value women bring into our community. For that reason, I donate a portion of profits to Women For Women non-profit organization (https://www.womenforwomen.org/) that helps our courageous sisters around the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In the interior design field, so much of the implementation depends on tradesman, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Along the way, I learned that working with reliable partners, keeping open communications, understanding expectations of all parties involved will prevent costly mistakes and headaches in the future.
Also, knowing the seasons of the home design business, when “winter is coming,” and marketing accordingly will give the smoothest ride along this exciting journey. You can be the most brilliant designer, but if your clients don’t know about your existence, your talent will be wasted away without the proper marketing efforts.
Please tell us about 7 Sisters Interiors.
We provide Residential Interior Design Services and Custom Window Coverings that deliver functional, stunning spaces. Whether it is one room or the whole house, our goal is to make your decorating dreams come true.
Our services include but not limited:
– In-home design consultation
– Space planning, furniture, and accessories selection
– Paint color, wallpaper, surfaces selection
– Window Coverings Selection
– Kitchen, Bath, Home Remodel Consultations and Project Management
We are passionate about creating home environments that speak your language, a meaningful design where every piece has a purpose. Even though interior design as a service often tailored towards consumption as a small local business, we always keep in mind our footprint on this planet.
In our projects, we encourage our clients to incorporate family heirlooms, upcycle old vintage pieces that tell a story of where are you coming from or where are you going. When I see a unique piece of furniture, I often stop for a moment and think about its history. How did it come to life? Starting from the thought process of someone who saw a need, then through sketches, research, production until it made to an original piece. The tree that was cut down to make it, where did it grow? How many minds and hands touched the project for it finally to become this one particular piece? The process is very much similar to our own in interior design; everything starts with a thought, an idea after that with a lot of creativity, efforts, and planning we deliver spaces that move you emotionally and makes you feel welcomed.
I believe, my degree in engineering and science helps me to understand the details behind the curtains allowing me to create optimal solutions on getting the project from point A to point B. I also love traveling, and this is something that continually expands my vision on crafting a unique design and bringing a fresh outlook into space.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
For anyone who has dreams of venturing into interior design, I suggest starting with work for a design firm before stepping out on your path as an entrepreneur. It will save a lot of time on learning processes, creating policies, business structure, etc.
Having mentors and a support group of colleagues had been so helpful, I wish I had found them sooner. My mentor Suzanne O’Brien with Home Staging by Metamorphysis had been a Godsent angel on my path. I appreciate everything I learned from her and other supportive women while on this journey. If you want to be an empowered woman, empower women. When we help each other, we only get stronger as a community. I have been incredibly blessed to cross path with supportive friends, colleagues, fantastic clients. Being invited to lives had been an honor, and I cherish it tremendously.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://7sistersinteriors.com/
- Phone: 760-415-3396
- Email: 7sistersinteriors@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/7sistersinteriors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7sistersinteriors/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/7-sisters-interiors-del-mar
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/7sistersinteriors/__public
Image Credit:
Leigh Castelli Photography, Gary Sandkasl Imaging
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