Interior designer honoured for good customer service

A WOMAN from Benson has won an award for her interior design business.

Holly Scott won a silver award for best customer service at the Best Business Women Awards held last Friday.

Ms Scott, who lives in Triggs Mead, said: “I’m delighted to receive this award because providing outstanding customer service is really important to me.

“I truly believe that happy homes make happy people and the whole process needs to be fun and exciting for my clients to be able to enjoy the process so they fall in love with their new home.”

Ms Scott, who previously worked as a window dresser for Harrods and as a creative associate for Ralph Lauren, founded her company in 2020.

She said: “During the covid pandemic I found that people were not happy in their homes at a time where we all needed a safe and happy environment.

“I love helping homeowners by creating their dream homes from concept to completion and when I am designing spaces it’s all about them. I start by giving them a questionnaire to fill out and we go from there. A lot of time they don’t know what they like so it’s about finding what they really love rather than following trends.

“It’s also about keeping open communication with your clients through email or video calls, letting them know that I am always there.”

Ms Scott, who grew up in Bix, studied mixed media textile design at De Montfort University before working in high-end department stores but the pandemic gave her the push she needed to open her business.

She said: “In 2020 I was doing a little bit of design. Then when we had lockdown I was reflecting on what to do and it just felt right to start my business.

“A lot of people realised that important to be in a space you love. I began by doing virtual designs and then when we were back out in the world, I would see people and go into their homes.

“I am a ‘solopreneur’ and being a mum of two children and a dog it’s a juggle. The reason I work for myself is so I could look after my girls, who are really important to me. The beginning of this year was pretty slow but work has really picked up again now. I had a couple of big full house renovations last year and I am really busy again.

“I have always been creative and love designing. Working in retail was great but the nights and long hours was not going to work with my family life.

“I had always wanted to work for myself. My dad taught me to always do a job that you love and so it was about bringing my vision to life.”

In 2022 she founded an online design course, Happy Home Design, for people wanting advice on how to decorate their homes.

Ms Scott said: “I found a lot of people just wanted a two-hour consultation and that’s when I started the course. People need help and guidance and support.

“I teach the four main steps and the rest is self-taught with videos and templates to help. We also have a private Facebook community. It’s nice seeing people gain the confidence to design their whole house after learning to design a room.

“The course is for people want to create their dream home but don’t know where to start. It’s for those who feel unhappy when they walk into their home, for those who want to add colour but are scared about how to use it successfully.

“They also want to redecorate their homes without making expensive mistakes. Those on the course also get access to my little black book of suppliers.”

Ms Scott is currently the sole worker but hopes in the future to expand the business.

She said: “Work has just got busier and busier and it might be that I expand the design academy course and maybe expanding the team.

“In 2024, I want to work with more design enthusiasts who are ready to take control of their projects to create their dream homes that reflect their style while saving both time and money.”