Each month in “The Pro Perspective” podcast, Houzz Pro brings in thought leaders and experts in residential construction and design to share insights to help building, remodeling and design pros. Hosted by Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing at Houzz, the series provides both inspiration and time-tested, real-world strategies for success.

In this episode, “Growing With Intention,” Kate O’Hara, CEO and creative director of O’Hara Interiors, discusses scaling responsibly, particularly in the luxury market, and balancing creative aspirations with business demands.

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What’s in the Episode? 

Kate O’Hara has been celebrated for her visionary approach to design and business development. Under her leadership in recent years, O’Hara Interiors has experienced company growth of 60%, broken into new markets and won 24 Best of Houzz awards in the Design and Service categories. 

In this episode, O’Hara discusses how to grow your business mindfully and strategically, particularly if you’re looking to break into the luxury market. While high-end clients can help your business weather economic volatility, they also introduce challenges that can impact daily operations and long-term goals. That’s why she urges designers to assess their motivations before taking this big step. “Are you a designer who wants to run a business, or are you a designer who wants to focus on design?” she asks. “I personally think that people should spend a little bit more time considering how they want to spend their days.”

For creatives aiming to grow, O’Hara shares how to plan thoughtfully, including how to::

• Clearly define your business’ purpose and goals
• Assess the risks and rewards of scaling upward
• Build partnerships and support networks, such as by attending conferences and events outside your local market
• Determine the business expertise you might need among your team members

“The Pro Perspective” podcast is brought to you by Houzz Pro. To learn more about our best-in-class software for winning clients, managing projects and simplifying your workflow, click here.