How a Full-Service Designer in Southeast Michigan is Using SideDoor to Grow Her Brand—and Making Thousands in Profits
“SideDoor has created an all-new income stream for my business. I can offer trade-exclusive items directly to my clients through SideDoor—and make a real profit! No backend fuss, and I keep my amazing relationships with local vendors."
In the first month using SideDoor with clients, Lauren earned an extra $12,000 in commissions—profits that in the past would have gone to other online retailers.
Overview
Lauren Figueroa is founder and principal designer at Lauren Figueroa Interior Design (LFID), a full service design firm based in Southeast Michigan. From giving virtual consultations to guiding clients through major design projects and coaching fellow interior designers, Lauren and her team always go above and beyond.
The Problem
“Before SideDoor, it felt like two extremes: managing the whole project—which is our biggest profit generator, but also takes the most time and energy—or, we’d give some consultation during a one-time session and potentially never hear from the client again, let alone facilitate product sourcing,” says Lauren. “SideDoor has provided the perfect middle ground!”
The Solution
“Now, we offer one-and-done consultations and often help source products during that time. Rather than pulling from generic retail sources—which not only dilute my designs, but also my profit—I can offer trade-exclusive items directly to my clients through SideDoor—and make a real profit—turning a short hour session into a major profit-generator,” says Lauren.
“Additionally, I can now curate trade-exclusive items on my site, turning my brand into a source of e-commerce. This always felt like the next step, but until SideDoor, we didn't have the buying power to make that happen.”
In the first month using SideDoor with clients, Lauren earned an extra $12,000 in commissions—profits that in the past would have gone to other online retailers.
With SideDoor’s flexible tool, Lauren and her team are able to offer more selections to their clients without having to fool around with all the back-office madness. SideDoor centralizes orders for vendors so that Lauren doesn’t have to worry about order minimums—just about perfectly executing her vision. She now thinks of SideDoor as an extended part of her own team.
“The customer service my clients have experienced from the SideDoor team has been top notch, and my dedicated SideDoor account manager makes my job quick and easy,” says Lauren.
But SideDoor is more than a back-office service for Lauren’s firm, it’s a sales-tool. Now she can monetize her website, blog, newsletter, and even Instagram and Pinterest!
