Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Parrott.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Whitney. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have had a passion for interior design my entire life. After graduating from high school in 2008, I was hoping to obtain a degree in Interior Design. However, with a bleak job market on the horizon, I decided it was best to study something a bit more ‘generic’ and ended up graduating with my Bachelor’s in Communications and Advertising from Towson University [East Coast native]. From there, I landed my first “grown-up job” as a Home Marketing Consultant for the top real estate brokerage in Maryland. It was here that I learned that interior design wasn’t my only passion, but providing an exceptional client experience was also a love of mine. For two years, I met with homeowners on a daily basis to consult and guide them in the marketing and selling of their property. After gaining great experience here, it was time for a new challenge. So, I packed my bags and headed for the West Coast [cue sappy song]. I was searching for something that would allow me to express my creativity, hands-on. Enter ‘staging.’ I began working for a small, staging firm, Everything Creative Designs.
Over the course of five years, we went from a four person company to a 15 person company, a 1,000-square foot warehouse to a 9,000-square foot warehouse and from working on small condos to multi-million dollar properties. Not only did the company grow, but I grew from an Assistant Designer to the Creative Director. Over the past five years, I developed long-lasting relationships with clients and met my business partner and lifelong friend, Ruthie. Realizing we work super well together, we decided it was time to write our own story. In just a matter of days, Whit + Whims Interiors, a Property Consulting and Styling Company, was born!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur has been scary, but an exciting, adventure. Each day brings new lessons and accomplishments. I wake up eager to get started on the day and start knocking things off the to-do list. Because Ruthie and I are natural-born leaders, thinkers, and doers, we have had very little struggles along the way. I’m sure we will hit some road bumps, but we are super confident in our ability to solve any problem! We’ve had a lot of experience with that in the past [trust us]!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Whit + Whims Interiors story. Tell us more about the business.
Whit + Whims Interiors is a Property Consulting and Styling company. We work with real estate agents and homeowners to help prepare lived-in properties for the marketplace. During our consultations, we give concrete ideas and suggestions [anything from improving curb appeal to new paint color to furniture layout], that homeowners can take and complete on their own. From here, we create a custom package that details small items that need to be purchased to finish off the space. At Whit + Whims, we believe it’s the little things that make the biggest impact. So, we suggest things like pillows, artwork, accessories, and lamps. We shop it for the client or guide the client to shop it themselves. Then, we come back to complete the Property Styling phase. We rearrange furniture, rehang artwork, re-accessorize and add in the new items. The transformations have been amazing so far and we can’t wait to complete more projects.
This model is different from others because we have the luxury of shopping for specific items for each project. We aren’t choosing what is available to us from a pile of generic inventory. We are going out and finding pieces that will work perfectly with the clients’ existing furnishings. Also, the client owns the pieces, so there isn’t a rental fee that is owed each month, typical with a traditional ‘staging’ company. We believe we can transform any space by simply purchasing the ‘little things.’
As a business owner, I am most proud of the client experience we provide. Because this can be a stressful time for homeowners, we really focus on holding their hand and making the process as effortless as possible for them. Our ability to do this, coupled with the art of reimagining a space with existing items, is pretty special to me.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
To be honest, I don’t really believe in luck. I think everything happens for a reason. When you tell the universe you are ready, it opens doors that you never thought would open. I believe hard work, discipline and doing what you love will take you and your business a long way!
Pricing:
- Market Ready Consultation – $250 Flat Fee
- Sourcing + Shopping – $100/hour
- Property Styling – Begins at $500
Contact Info:
- Address: 1922 Mission Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116 - Website: www.whitandwhimsinteriors.com
- Phone: 443.537.3790
- Email: whitney@whitandwhimsinteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitandwhimsinteriors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitandwhimsinteriors/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/whit-whims-interiors-san-diego-3?osq=whit+and+whims+interiors
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