Today we’d like to introduce you to Neela Woodard.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was living in New York City and working in Publishing when I decided to follow my passion and go back to school for interior design. I enrolled at the New York School of Interior Design and loved it. Both while I was in school and after I graduated, I was lucky enough to work for a number of prestigious design firms in New York before ultimately starting my own business in 2007.
Starting Neela Woodard Design was the best decision I ever made. I love getting to know my clients and working with them to create amazing homes that are unique to their taste, lifestyle and needs.
In 2015 my family had the opportunity to relocate to Los Angeles and I decided to move my business out here. I am so glad I did. It has been really exciting getting to know my new city. There are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences between East Coast and West Coast design. Los Angeles has a great design community and I am very glad to now be a part of it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not always been a smooth road. I started my business in 2007 and in 2008 the recession hit. It really changed the design industry. A lot of people stopped hiring designers and a lot of design firms went out of business. Thankfully my existing clients stayed with me and I was able to secure enough new projects to keep my business afloat until the economy recovered.
It was also difficult initially for me when I relocated my business to Los Angeles. It was hard to leave my clients on the East Coast and the great reputation and word of mouth I had cultivated. When I moved out here no one knew my business so I had to find new ways to get clients. Due to the large portfolio of work I have on the internet people were able to find me and I was able to build up my clientele in Los Angeles.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Neela Woodard Design story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in residential design but I have done the occasional restaurant or retail space. I have a real passion for homes and the people who live in them. I love coming into a new house and figuring out how to make it shine.
I am not interested in designing a cookie cutter house with the same items every time. I think it is important to know each client’s individual taste, how they use and live in their home and what they wish their home can be. Only then can you design a truly unique and custom-tailored space. The personal relationships I develop with my clients are truly special and I feel honored every time that people welcome me into their lives and the homes.
I think it is my ability to make sure my client’s personality and lifestyle is reflected when the project is done that really sets me apart as a designer.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I feel like I have been very lucky both in life and in my business. I have two beautiful boys ages 5 and 8 and an incredibly kind and supportive husband. We moved to Los Angeles only two years ago but have found friendships and a community that we feel like we have always been a part of.
I also feel incredibly lucky in my business, I have always had amazing clients, a lot of whom have become close friends. In fact, I still work with a number of my east coast clients. I have also been fortunate enough that, other than when the recession hit and when I first moved to LA, my business has kept growing allowing me to take on more clients and new and interesting projects.
Contact Info:
- Address: 539 N California Street
Burbank, CA 91505 - Website: http://neelawoodard.com/
- Phone: 818 736 5683
- Email: info@neelawoodard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwdesignllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neelawoodarddesign/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/neela-woodard-design-burbank
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/nwdesign/neela-woodard-design-llc
Image Credit:
Photography by Andy Foster
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