Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2024 - 96

L A S T W ORD
OPEN MINDED AND MINDFUL
This designer stresses the importance of seeking connections at all stages of a creative career
AS HER TERM AS PRESIDENT OF the Manhattan chapter of NKBA ends,
Julie Schuster, founder of New York City-based Julie Schuster Design Studio,
talks about her perspective on starting and growing a design practice.
How does your background infl uence the way you approach the design business?
My fi rst degree is in business, so I have always looked at becoming an
entrepreneur as a personal business venture fi rst and foremost. As we all
know, interior design is a passion-driven, creative endeavor. But if one wants
to keep doing it, we also must look upon it as a business predominantly.
What has been your biggest challenge - and how did you resolve it?
Oh my goodness, there are SO MANY! But learning to place a high value
on my own time is one of the most important. It drives so much of all the
others. Th e more years and projects I've put under my belt have taught me
that there is not a project I can't tackle - even one that is totally diff erent
than what I have done before. I have the knowledge, the resource base and
hard-earned connections to lean on for advice or information to solve the
client's needs. So perhaps the patience with myself and the process might
be amongst the top of the challenges list.
What is the most important career lesson you've learned?
Never stop learning. Join trade organizations that bring you exposure and
education opportunities. You never know from where a recommendation or
opportunity will pop up in front of you. And don't hesitate to take a leadership
role - even when you feel not quite ready, go for it! Th e rewards are big.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking about entering the design
business?
If possible, work for someone else fi rst. Mentors will come from all areas
96
/ JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2024
ABOVE A feng shui expert,
designer Julie Schuster
integrates conventional
and holistic elements into
her projects, including the
apartment shown above.
Photo credit: Greg Morris
Photography
of life, but get some design creds before jumping
off into business for yourself, if at all possible.
And as noted previously, expose yourself to the
markets you want to learn about through trade
organizations and groups. Th is takes time ...
you don't get all this education in design school.
Go to trade shows and showrooms, too. Experience
is the very best education, and it is not just
on job sites. It's all around. Don't be intimidated
to ask questions.
What is your favorite thing to collect? And why?
Experiences! Travel, people and places you carry
in your heart wherever you go. And you don't
have to dust them!
Who or what has been a seminal infl uence on your
design career?
All my colleagues. Mentors are all around if
you look for them. I learn from outside our
industry as well as inside it - and from other
career changers who might also be new to
our trade, as well as the experienced colleague.
Th at's another reason I just love the NKBA
and the other organizations l belong to. Most
people are willing to share, when asked. And
if you get rebuff ed along the line, don't let that
slow you down. Just ask someone else - for you
will fi nd sharers.

Kitchen & Bath Business January/February 2024

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