April 18, 2024

How has SideDoor Transformed Lauren Figueroa Interior Design

How has SideDoor Transformed Lauren Figueroa Interior Design

We’re back talking with Michigan based SideDoor designer, Lauren Figueroa. Last week we had the opportunity to look at a project she designed using SideDoor. If you missed that email, you can see it on the blog here.

This week we’re asking about the success she’s found using SideDoor and how it’s impacted her business overall: process, sales, financials, oh my!

Let’s dive in!

Photo by Alyssa Wagner

CONVERSATION

SideDoor: To recap the last two weeks: we’ve heard a little about you and your clients, we’ve seen an awesome case study of a project you designed with the platform, and now we want to know, what motivated you to hop on board with SideDoor?

Lauren: I’ve been with SideDoor since the very beginning when you launched back in 2020. When I first discovered the platform, I was like, YES! THIS is exactly the tool I’ve been waiting for!

At that point I had just launched my Designed in a Day service, but I didn’t yet have a tool that let me easily search items, provide them to clients in a clean and tidy way, and also allowed me to make a profit.

Now, I use SideDoor with almost every client. Financially, it’s allowed me to step back from the more time consuming and stressful full-service projects and focus on the day session format, which I much prefer!

SideDoor: We love to hear that! Can you share about how specifically you utilize the platform with clients?

Lauren: Definitely! I’ll try to give you a summary without being too long winded...

During sessions, there’s a cadence of both working together with my clients as well as breaks for them. Initially, we walk through the space and talk inspiration, needs, etc. They then take a break while I measure and pull together a 2D floor plan for the space.

Once we land on a layout they’re excited about, they get another break, and I jump into sourcing on SideDoor. At that point, I create a new collection and speed source 5-6 of each kind of item I’d need for the space.
Photo by Alyssa Wagner
I then start pulling together a styleboard, where I tend to showcase only my top choice of each item. When I have a design pulled together, the client and I regroup to talk through the design and any pieces that might not speak to them, at which point I swap out one or two of the original items for another.

I’ll then save the last 45 min or so of a session to clean up their SideDoor collection, add a header image of the style board and floor plan to their collection, and email over a link to their collection with some info about the platform.  

SideDoor: How about selling—can you talk about what’s worked for you as far as getting clients comfortable with the platform? 

Lauren: Absolutely! For me, I like a soft sell and prefer to be very transparent about everything with clients. I’ll let them know how the platform and pricing works, that they aren’t obligated to purchase from it, but that if they do, I’ll receive a commission—they seem to be very responsive to that!

I also let them know that they have the option to quickly one-click checkout, or they purchase slowly over time, or, they can even use it as a size, style, and color guide to source their items elsewhere if the price points don’t work for their budget.

Many folks do purchase some or all of the items, so it tends to balance out well, and clients are always thankful to have the online collections to reference.
Photo by Alyssa Wagner
SideDoor: It’s great to hear how flexible the tool has been for you. Can you talk a little about the financial side of things for you? What’s been the impact on your income?

Lauren: Sure thing! As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, most of my clients work with me via a service called Designed in a Day. I’ve been averaging 3-4 sessions a month. Some folks will buy just one or two items from their collections, but a handful of clients purchase everything—and gosh, you can never guess who it’s going to be!

For some hard and fast math, last year I booked about 40 day sessions for the year, and my average SideDoor commission per session was around $1,500. So if we do the math, that’s a good chunk of change right there, all from SideDoor commissions.

SideDoor: That’s amazing! We’re so thrilled the platform is working for you in that way. Is there anything else you think designers should know about working with the platform?

Lauren: It’s really about finding a design and sales process that feels comfortable for you and your clients. I try new things all the time and regularly iterate my process when I figure out a better way to do something or when a new feature is released.
Photo by Alyssa Wagner
For example, after doing a few day sessions, I realized folks regularly had follow up questions in the weeks after their session, so I decided to include a week of email support in the price. That encouraged folks to get their questions to me quicker, and also encouraged a faster purchase. 

SideDoor: Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us, and we can’t wait for our live SideDoor University episode featuring Lauren. This will happen next week and we'll announce the date and time soon.

We’ve loved introducing one of our SideDoor Superstars to our community of designers! If you want to follow along with Lauren’s design work, you can find her website here, as well as her instagram, linkedin, and facebook

And don't forget to mark your calendars for our next SideDoor University episode featuring Lauren Figueroa with our very own founder, Lynsey Humphrey, happening this April 30 at 1PM EST. We can’t wait for this community conversation! 

Are YOU a SideDoor Superstar? Would you like to be featured in our series? Just respond to this email and we’ll start the conversation!

Previous
Next
12 Most Popular Products The Week of Oct 7 to 11
Vendor Highlight on Hooker Furniture
New Vendor Grand Image now on SideDoor
Just In! 3,245 New Light Fixtures
Vendor Highlight on LH Home
Vendor Highlight on Bliss Studio
New Artwork from Paragon
Order a fabric sample at no cost!
New Vendor Serax now on SideDoor
New products from Four Hands
Vendor Highlight on Union Home
160 new products from Bramble
580 new products from Varaluz
855 new products from Sunset West
In stock Chairs and Side Tables
Las Vegas Market: My Favorite Vendors on SideDoor
In stock Sofas and Coffee Tables
12 Most Popular Products The Week of Aug 19 to 25
Vendor Highlight on Interlude Home
How Has SideDoor Transformed Milissa's Business
In stock Bookcases and Books
New Vendor on SideDoor: Mommani Threads
Milissa Designed a Home Using SideDoor
In stock Desks and Desk Chairs
Vendor Highlight on Universal Furniture
717 new products from trade vendor Safavieh
Meet Milissa Morgan-Ching
1108 new products from Exquisite Rugs
12 Most Popular Products This Week
Search Dining Tables by Brands
Vendor Highlight: Regina Andrew
New Vendor Novaz now on SideDoor
390 New Products from Urbia Imports
Products list are now paginated on SideDoor!
In stock Sofa and Coffee Tables
Trade vendor Cavalletto Home takes on the spotlight
Top Products Curated into Designer Collections Last Week
In stock Dining Tables and Dining Chairs
Have a Seat with Soho Home
In stock Sconces and Mirrors
425 new products from Villa and House
In stock Console Tables and Lamps
Provide Ample Lighting with Seed Design
12 Most Popular Products Last Week
What Patricia loves about SideDoor
Our Most Popular Products
Search Beds by Size
Search outdoor dining by retail pricing
In her words: Running a successful design firm
800 new products from Manhattan Comfort
In stock Benches and Rugs
Meet Patricia Lockwood
Vendor Highlight: Gabby
Search nightstands by brand
Vendor Highlight: Worlds Away
New from Four Hands
Search desks by retail pricing
30,000 Kravet Fabrics
SideDoor's Impact on Ettie & Co: Process, Sales, Financials
56 new products from Alder & Tweed
Huge News! Fabrics on SideDoor!
Eteannette Seymour designed this property using SideDoor
1000+ New Products from Rowe, Armen Living, and Crystorama
Meet Eteannette Seymour
Vendor Highlight: Adesso
Search side tables by color
Vendor Highlight: Oly Studio
Search outdoor by category
How has SideDoor Transformed Lauren Figueroa Interior Design
Vendor Highlight: Urbia Imports
Search rugs by dimensions
In stock Dining Tables + Chairs
Lauren Figueroa designed this property using SideDoor
Vendor Highlight: Currey & Co
Search console tables by designer pricing
In stock Coffee Tables + Coffee Table Books
Meet Lauren Figueroa
Vendor Highlight: Alder & Tweed
Search sofas by brand
In stock Beds and Nightstands
More than 12,000 businesses now rely on SideDoor
Vendor Highlight: Jamie Young
Search floor lamps by brand
Newest Desks on SideDoor
Search bookcases by dimension
Vendor Highlight: Booth & Williams
Newest Flush Mounts on SideDoor
Vendor Highlight: Legend of Asia
Search media storage by pricing
Houe at 30% off during their clearance
Frontier Living with Zentique
Newest Coffee Tables on SideDoor
Introducing Collection QR Codes
Vendor Highlight on Design Tree Home
Searching Dressers under $1,000
13,348 Collections Created in January
Searching Sofas under $1500
Newest Bar Stools on SideDoor
We love loveseats ❤️
200 New Products from Sunset West