Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Quinn.
Hi Colleen, 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 have a very roundabout story! I tested out several different careers in my 20s, from banking in NYC, to graphic design in Boston, to account management in San Francisco. Clearly, I love big cities and wound up earning a master’s in urban planning and having a meaningful role in planning for many years.
When my family started growing and all of a sudden, we had 3 kids under 5, the work-life balance with a demanding DC job became quite a challenge. I leaned into my entrepreneurial spirit and business degree and decided to start an interior design business. I have always had a creative side, and art, design, sewing and crafts have been a mainstay from an early age. What started as a creative outlet turned into a full-fledged business. Having moved every 2-4 years growing up, and serving as my dad’s #1 gopher, I had picked up a lot of furnishing and handyman skills over the years. It seemed like the perfect melding of my background and all my experiences!
Going on 13 years now (my youngest is 14, hard to believe!), I am so grateful for what RedBird has offered me and my kids. I truly love being a business owner and providing a unique and valuable service (really a partnership) to homeowners in our area. The relationships I have built with clients and that I have built with my design staff have been more rewarding than I could have imagined.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been some ups and downs and a lot of learning.
When I realized I couldn’t handle my growing client list on my own (what an exciting trajectory tho, right?) and had to figure out the best move; change services, change pricing, hire an administrator or designer? That was definitely a steep learning curve. Interviewing and finding the right fit to represent the RedBird brand was hard. With more than just me, I had to get systems in place so we could work together effectively and make things seamless for clients.
Social media is also outside my area of expertise and has changed so much in the last 10 years. I had to find the right balance and mix of what resonates with homeowners. It has taken a long time to not be terrified of being in front of the camera (i’m not a natural and don’t like being in the spotlight).
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are known for approachable and flexible design; our #1 goal is meeting a client’s needs. We are often homeowners’ first experience hiring a designer because I think we put them at ease and are transparent about our process and pricing. We are understanding of each person’s unique situation and can work with a range of budgets and priorities.
We provide sound, practical advice from the get-go whether you’re considering a room refresh or a large renovation. I’ll give you the same inside scoop I’d give my sister!
We also have proven and trustworthy contractors and vendors we have been working with for years. These resources are so valuable to our clients as they make improvements to their homes. We have a great team to share!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
The name RedBird came from one of my BFFs. Well before starting my business I would help her with any home projects she had on her plate; whether it was picking a new paint color or a trip to Homegoods for curtains. She said “you’re like the little bird on my shoulder telling what to do with my house”
Pricing:
- We provide a quote (a flat fee) for the list of design tasks you want help with
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.redbirdredesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbirdredesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redbirdredesign
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/redbird-redesign-silver-spring?osq=Redbird+redesign&override_cta=Get+pricing
- Other: https://share.google/ICiosqIPzFNOxgPRc
