Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Valentine
Hi Paul, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Small Office when I moved to the US in 2005. I wanted to bring what I thought was good design from London to here, making it easier for people to access as well helping the people I was connected with in London sell their work in the US. I now work with companies from England, Finland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Sweden. It’s a design resource that provides a connection with a set of companies that align with my core design values and sensibilities. A direct and personal service in both directions.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a very exciting road to this point, but full of challenges. Moving to a new country at the same time as learning how to run a small business in a new market was an invigorating step into the unknown. Then you are striving to shape it into what you want it to be. It never really stops. You constantly have to adapt and push yourself to try and test new directions, gently nurturing the ones that show potential, and learning from the ones that don’t.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
One event I’m known for in the Los Angeles design community is the INTRO / LA Design show.
The original concept was to provide an alternative experience to design trade shows that is comfortable, easily accessible, and casual to visit. A forum to debut new ideas as a group without the stress and expense of a convention center. The original idea has remained, what has evolved is the unifying interior concept. How to bring each designer closer to the other so they just touch and interact without blending too much. Showing a slice of the design community in Los Angeles as one without disturbing each designers individual language. It means the space has to find a way to integrate and join their work, or participate itself, over just being a venue to partition and separate them from one another.
In general I continue to explore design and my own creativity through a series of different interior scenes in my space alongside an evolving design consulting practice.
What matters most to you? Why?
Now that I have established the business and experienced some life, I do not want to get tempted to coast, over define, or solidify. But at the same time, being able to slow down and look after my health, focus on growing new creative ways, and deeply engaging with people to generate rich experiences is something I value and want to dedicate my time to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smalloffice.info
- Instagram: @smalloffice.info
Image Credits
Andrew Wren
Jack Jeffries
JJ Geiger
