EP #39 | Leveling Up your Interior Design Business with Whitney Walker
Welcome to the Designers Oasis podcast. I'm your host, Kate Bendewald, interior designer, mama and CEO of a thriving interior design business, built on authentic word of mouth referrals. It wasn't that long ago that I stepped away from my corporate architecture job to build my own dream, one that would allow me more time with the people that I love, the ability to serve my clients at the highest level, and to make a great living. It wasn't always easy, and I've made my share of mistakes along the way. Fast forward to today, and I've learned a thing or two. This podcast is for you - the inspired, creative, ambitious, and let's admit it, occasionally overwhelmed interior designer who shares this dream of transforming lives by transforming homes. Join me and my guests each week as we walk through practical ways to build an interior design business you love, and helps you transform your clients' lives. You can do this.
Kate Bendewald
Hello there and welcome to the designers Oasis podcast. I'm your host, Kate Bendewald. Thank you so much for joining me today. Today I'm sitting down to chat with my friend and fellow interior designer Whitney Walker of Farrington lane, a boutique interior design studio based in Austin, Texas. Whitney and I first met when I lived in Texas and we became fast friends sharing our love for antiques and unique interiors with a strong story. There's so much to love about Whitney. But perhaps one of the things I'm drawn to the most about her is her distinct point of view about design. Whitney knows what she loves and has very intentionally designed a brand that attracts the kind of clients who appreciate the same things. Whitney's interiors are rich and layered. They're sophisticated, but also whimsical. They are informed by history and her clients stories. The part that really blows me away is the fact that she has birthed this company from its infancy into what it is today. All while birthing three real human beings. That is three little boys under the age of six years old. Whitney is absolutely delightful. She's raw, she's honest. And despite the trail she's blazing in her career, she's incredibly humble. I am so grateful to have had the chance to sit down and chat with her today. I know you will enjoy hearing from her to please welcome my friend Whitney Walker. Hello, my friend. How are you?
Whitney Walker
Hello. Oh, I am doing pretty well. How are you?
Kate Bendewald
I can't complain. I can't complain. Happy Friday. It's so good to get to hang out with you today and in chat about business.
Whitney Walker
I know it's good to see your face. I missed these in person chats on your wake up.
Kate Bendewald
I know I know. Oh my gosh, I miss you so much. Well, we were long or long overdue for hangout session. I'm supposed to be back in Texas this summer. So I'll make sure that we at least attempt to get in there. Oh my gosh. Well, thank you so much for joining me today we are I'm thrilled you and I have had a number of so backstory for the folks listening. Whitney is a friend of mine we met she's an interior designer in Texas we met when I lived in Waco and Farrington lane is her business. And you need to pause this episode and go follow her on Instagram because she curates the absolute most beautiful interiors and shows them off there. And I just, I the algorithm has definitely picked up that I like your stuff. Because I feel like I'm always I never miss a post because they're the algorithms like she likes very intently. Let's keep showing her that so it's sure it's fun. It always is a delight. So yeah, but anyway, you and I, over the years have just had some fabulous conversations around business, parenting design, clients, all the things and I just finally was like, You know what, we just need to sit down and and share this like talk about it and share it with designers. Yeah, exactly, exactly. Anyway, so Wouldn't you're joining us from Austin? Tell me, what are you working on right now? That has you excited?
Whitney Walker
Yeah, um, well, we're wrapping up a big project that we've been doing the past, I guess it's really two years now. But between design and construction, transforming a 1990s, suburban build into y. into more of a custom home pretty much we we moved the walls we added on. And we're in the midst of wrapping that up. And, you know, the crazy supply chain, we ordered all of our furniture last January. And some of it is still not here. So that does have been some fun, fun phone calls. But that's been great, because the client came to the table with a really strong point of view. And so we've been able to enhance some of her ideas and collaborate and it's really, really lovely. The way it's turning out. So that's fun to get to see longer, bigger progress,
Kate Bendewald
that final stretch is always hard, but so worth final stretch.
Whitney Walker
Oh my goodness. Yeah, it was a big one. We're, we're excited to see it all. And then working on we kind of just wrapped up like a little mini Reno of a New Orleans loving family and a house that was built as a replica of the Magnolia mountain plantation and Louisiana. And that was really fun. We got to use some really great lighting and colors. And they're hoping to do kind of a phase two later with all the furnishings and soft goods. And then also working with some dear friends of mine on we kind of we started the group, we started just doing her office in nursery, and then they said arrived, we're gonna sell our house, and we're gonna buy this one, and we're gonna remodel and do all the things. So it's kind of a project that grew. But she loves color and loves the southwest and loves original art, and appreciates craftsmanship. So that's been kind of kismet, and fun. And then we have some other I don't have some smaller thing. I'm hoping this little to kind of like Whittle this stuff down. We have some other things probably like five other smaller things that we're in different stages. Yeah. So but we've, we've, we've got some, some great clients. So we're grateful,
Kate Bendewald
oh, my gosh, I cannot wait to see this labor of love and how it shows up. I want to back up a little bit. Because you talk to you just pointed to a couple of things that I really want to get into shortly. But talking about point of view and design in you clearly have you been able to attract the kind of clients who appreciate the same things that you do color, architecture, history, all of those things. So well. We'll get to that. We're gonna dive into that a bit. But I want us to kind of step back a little bit and take us back to a little baby Whitney. What? When you were a kid? What were you like, Did you did you when you look back now? Do you see roads pointing to this career?
Whitney Walker
I do not, you know, not super obviously. It wasn't like, Oh, this is for sure happening or anything. But I loved art. I love creating. I loved reading. I spent a lot of time reading. My parents were very gracious. And let me redo my room a couple of times, which is like, not happening for my kids. I'm like, No, I'm in charge of that
Kate Bendewald
same disease. My 10 year old, my daughter, my oldest is about to turn 10. And she wants to redo her room. And I'm like, yeah, so of course you're gonna get three options for this, that and everything else. You can I will curate it and you can pick from what I give you. Yeah, yeah. So you you have your own house one day and pay your own mortgage and you can do whatever the heck you want. Sorry, sorry. So you your but your parents were like Go for it.
Whitney Walker
Yeah, I mean, it wasn't like a blank check situation. But it was like, you know, I got to lean toward you know what, it was things they were wanting to do anyway, so I got input in on it and yeah, so I just have always really loved art really love making are creating things with my hands. My grandmother taught me to do some embroidery, which I still love embroidery. It's like one of my favorite textile. So yeah, definitely some bread cut bread crumbs. But I and I kind of have like the typical you can see creative, entrepreneurial spirit that is not always super linear. In my room was My poor mom. She had three brothers and two Just trying to wrangle all four of us and we're all very stubborn and strong willed and my room was a disaster a lot of the time. That's just Yeah. You know,
Kate Bendewald
you were weren't making sure workshop working. I was working you are. I love it. Well, for anybody who's not watching, I am getting a sneak peek into your beautiful office, which I love. One of my favorite books is a photography book of creative women and their workspaces. And I'm spacing on that. I'll find it I'll link to it, but I just absolutely love seeing the way other people work. I do. Know. So you have three boys. Right? So you come by now I didn't realize you had three brothers, you were one of four. And you did you say you were the only girl. But where were you in? Not this has anything to do with what we're talking about today. I'm just interested. Where were you in the birth order?
Whitney Walker
was second. two younger brothers and one older brother.
Kate Bendewald
Gotcha. Gotcha. And now today you have two three little boys. Yes. And how old? Are they? Yes,
Whitney Walker
they are six, four and one and a half.
Kate Bendewald
I just had my breath taken away. So you are you have not only taken three real breathing humans out of their infancy into young adult life. But you've you've done this alongside really ramping your design career up. So we're gonna we're gonna talk about that. When you have three boys. I feel like there is this code that moms have boy moms have that. It's like this little nod that you can give each other is that do you feel like the I don't know this experience for myself? Because I've grown. But you did. Yes. I see you.
Whitney Walker
Yeah. Yeah, they are a lot. Like a lot. The energy, the chaos, the tumbling, rumbling, the breaking the throwing. The mama loving. So sweet, but it's a lot. Like my youngest right now I get super jealous if anybody else is in my lap. So like last night, somehow I ended up on the floor in our kitchen. In the corner of our cabinets. I think I was like putting a shoe back on. I don't know. And then I'll have all three of them. Oh, yes. My husband walked in. It was like, what? How did this happen? I'm like, there was some jealousy. And it ended up in I'm in the bottom of the dawn.
Kate Bendewald
That's a precious I absolutely love it. And I and I believe I see a superhero mask laying on your fabric collection back there.
Whitney Walker
Good I Kate. This is uh, this is Black Panther mask. Very cool. I had a visit yesterday. Very cool. i And i i Not fully realized I apologize to those of you watching that this will be on video. So here's zero,
Kate Bendewald
stop, stop. We're not apologizing. Nobody's apologizing. Stop apologizing. You're good. We love it. We love it. We love it. Okay, so let's fast forward a bit. So you went to college at Baylor? Did you get a degree in interior design? Or where did things start for you professionally had Tell me about that little journey, not little journey. It's a little big.
Whitney Walker
When you go to college and your little baby and you don't know what you want to do. I went into Baylor saying, Okay, I either want to go to law school or get my degree in interior design. Which I ended up doing. Neither about about a year and I started thinking, you know, I do think I want to do Interior Design. And I talked to my parents about it. And my, my dad comes from a family. He and his brothers were all entrepreneurs. I don't know, I think he'd be okay with me sharing this, but he actually dropped out of college, and was like, you know, I think I should just go ahead and start a company and start working. Yeah, so not the not the, you know, anyway, not the conventional route for for those who are seeking higher education, which I've always thought was admirable, because I'm like, wow, that's just so brave. So, but my parents that being said, my parents kind of advised me, if you want to do interior design, you should get your business degree and then just start your own studio, which they don't come from a background of liberal law. My mom has an English degree, but they don't, you know, as far as like the design industry and the history of architecture and art and like that's not their wheelhouse and so
Kate Bendewald
I felt like the practicals
Whitney Walker
and now oh my god, I could really, really use that design degree
Kate Bendewald
about no oh my gosh, it's a nice too. Are you? You're you're an artist.
Whitney Walker
So playing, you know, doing as much learning and reading and catch up as, as I can along the way with some of those things. But yeah, so that's ultimately what I did is I got my degree in economics, actually in Spanish, where I got a lot of actually art history and Spanish lit. I took, I think I took more Spanish classes in business, it was crazy. It was just so many hours, and didn't start out in design right out of school was a manager and buyer for a little clothing boutique on my husband was in grad school at Baylor, and then getting his master's. And then he was accepted to a Ph. D. program in Los Angeles. And we moved there. And I worked for a fashion startup tech company, actually, Zoe Saldana and her then fiance started together, I worked for them. And at night was going home and still just like devouring all things, interior design and reading everything I could and just like, wishing I was in that industry, like how do I get started there? How do I start moving that direction to get the experience that I need? And it was really wild. Actually, I just went home one day and was like, okay, where would I love to work right now to sort of move that direction. And I said One Kings Lane. I love only like, I was watching their tastemaker tag sales going up and just I loved all their editorial content, everything. So I said, I wonder if they have an office in LA. So I literally just their career, careers page and saw Oh, they do have an office in LA, I would have had any job openings, and saw job opening and applied. And after like, a six hour interview marathon. Oh my god, I ended up getting an entry level position there, which kind of got my foot in the industry door. And that's the story. That's the sound of the start.
Kate Bendewald
I love that you were just like, No, no, this is great. I'm hanging on every word. I love that. You're just like, I wonder if and did your research opened Google did the things. And that's where these things begin. And you know, there's a lot of people though, that they just have that question of, or maybe they don't have that question. Maybe they don't have that sort of gumption to say like, I wonder if and then imagine the possibilities and then also be able to act on that. And it's just obviously paid dividends for you and your career. Did you start so you worked for One Kings Lane? Did you start out working on their tastemaker team? Yes. What were you doing day to day? That sounds like such a fun job.
Whitney Walker
It was really fun. And it was you know, in my mid 20s, it was as well How old was I 24. We were young. And I think I was the only married person on my team at that time. So that was also interesting. Is it just a different culture going from like, you know, a bunch of it was just a laptop style shift to like, we were just working really long hours. And then everybody would say like, let's go get drinks after work. And I'd be like, but it was just it was a it was a tech startup. In addition to being in the design industry. So it was it was I made some of my best friends who I'm still in contact with every day and the time that I worked there. And it was like drinking from a firehose, because we were working with some of the top designers in the country. And what they did was a some of them have their own collection like we worked with Kelly wearstler. For instance, to do her brand, her tastemaker tag sale and she had airplane hangars full of inventory of her purse from her personal
Kate Bendewald
oh my gosh, are you kidding me? How I'm not surprised. But yeah, oh,
Whitney Walker
it was amazing.
Kate Bendewald
pause real quick for those of you that are listening and if you're not familiar, so One Kings Lane. Correct me if I'm wrong, but essentially they collaborate with tastemakers and they say because One Kings Lane. Well, why don't you explain it because it's me trying to paraphrase. They have elections.
Whitney Walker
Well, we start they started kind of like so the whole business model was like a flash sale with these things. And they started with this was when that was kind of happening. And that was a hot business model in the year like 2010. And they started opening up sides of the business or the vintage market finds business and then there was what we call the tastemaker tag sale. Business and then there was just like, now it's become like a big big shopping platform to where you can just go and you have access to some of the trade vendors and at a lower rate and some designer goods. So it's an E commerce platform. But when we were first starting out, they were recruiting designers to curate some of them, you know, pulled from the inventory from the brands that we carried. And some of them brought, you know, their own vintage collection to the table like stuff that they just had in storage, or Oh, yeah. My job honestly was like, refining, there are inventory on these, like pages and pages of Excel spreadsheets, and making sure the copy was right. And the so it was like, you know, every line item, it's like, oh, 19th century, blah, blah, blah, you kind of learned about a new antique piece or vintage piece on it. And it was just like 1000s of SKUs that we went through. But on the front end of the sale, it was of course, referencing Kelly wearstler she had, we went to her airplane hangars and had like a three day photoshoot where we literally just set up a scrim scan whenever I've called and shot product after, after product after product. It was wild. So just getting that kind of exposure to what some of the top designers in the country are saying this is a beautiful thing was pretty invaluable. And just learning about like, what properties that had and what made it special and and that it really, you know, that experience rang true with just my passion to connect to history and to know where a piece came from and what would use for and who who was it and who does it make you think of just this and the sentimentality connected to things. It's really a core value of our business.
Kate Bendewald
Well, and that definitely shines today with with the work and the projects that you are on today. So let's fast forward a little bit, then I understand that you had a pretty influential experience working with Angie helped me pronounce her last name.
Whitney Walker
Her Nowicki are adults cute for
Kate Bendewald
now. Tell me about your experience how that ended up coming to be in your experience working with her because it sounds like that was a pretty influential experience for you as well.
Whitney Walker
It was yes. And before I worked for a small design studio here in Austin called Bay Hill design and learned a ton from her to that she still want my dear friends. But yes, when you realize we were moving to Charleston, I remembered that Oh, actually, you know what? No, it was one of my friends. One of my best friends I referenced earlier from One Kings Lane said Oh, remember Andy broski is in Charleston. We did that sale with her. She's amazing. And I was like, I do remember her sail. She is in Charleston. So I pretty much just knocked on her door for three months until she agreed to let me like help her and so
Kate Bendewald
that's what he does.
Whitney Walker
He's like, please leave, please leave me alone. And I'm still a total fan girl. I'm like, anytime she posts anything. I'm like energy. But I really didn't. I did that it was a short stint doing. Pandas was faster than having to doing more like marketing contract work for her and wanting to work for her full time. But we ended up having we ended up we were kind of on this journey, partly because of my husband's career. And we went to LA for his PhD. And then we came back to Austin for various reasons. And then he was finishing his dissertation in Charleston and then ended up getting a job offer back in Texas and we're
Kate Bendewald
doing a figure eight throughout the country.
Whitney Walker
Yeah, just doing a figure right. Did basically like a study of her passions and what inspires her at the, at the onset of working with her and it was like, tell me about, you know, who you love and architecture and art and history, what movements are you inspired by and did a deep dive into her and tried to sort of distill that out into some marketing content and learned so much about her process and her business and just her creative integrity? It was it was a great education.
Kate Bendewald
No kidding.
Whitney Walker
And it was a short while is a short stint? Yeah, she's I mean, I just I think the world of her I think she's an amazing artist.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, well, I love that your your your willingness to do pretty much anything in that world knowing that you can glean so much and the fact that you took that opportunity to really get to know her kind of ethos was pretty impactful for you.
Kate Bendewald
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Kate Bendewald
so when did Farrington lane that kind of come into the mix for you?
Whitney Walker
So Farrington Lane actually started while I was working at One Kings Lane. I had a little vintage shop on their vintage market finds side of the website. And when I when we realized we moving to Austin, I was like, let me keep my job. I'm at work from Austin. And they were like, Why don't you just keep, you know, buying press on this little shop that you've started, which I called, I think they were just trying to make me feel better about saying no, you didn't have a job. Why did you keep your shop going? So I got my shop going and on one counseling platform and had started doing just like a little bit of design. I think my very first like consulting job actually was like a church building in LA, they were starting to this basically like a rec room. I just started helping friends on the side a little bit and here and there. And then when we moved back to Austin, I took a full time job with the design company I referenced earlier Bay Hill design, and was still doing my vintage shop on the side. Barrington lane, so kind of just kept that going through the years and it's slowly when we moved to Charleston. That was when I flipped it from side gig to main gig. Yeah. Okay, that was my grant.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, that was gonna be my question is okay, so when did you just so you decided, Okay, I'm gonna make this a full time thing. And when at that point, were you still splitting it between kind of this online marketplace as well as design services?
Whitney Walker
Yes. Yes. I was adding on. Yes. And then it just became, too, like as we had our first child, and it just became too hard to do both sides of the business.
Kate Bendewald
Tell me about it. I having having run two businesses myself over the last couple of years, I nearly ran myself into the ground. And I realized that he do have to kind of, at least for some personalities in minds the same ways. Like I'd rather pour my focus and energy really well into one thing, because I just can't split my brain that way. Okay,
Whitney Walker
so you're already splitting it a bunch of ways in one business, like it's amazing the amount of hats you have to wear with one business much
Kate Bendewald
just thinking about the the clients alone, I'm not even talking about like, running the business side of things. But let's talk about that for a minute. Because you your business has evolved pretty quickly, I would say from this little baby designer business to you really take up space, you really know you have a very clear a distinctive design point of view. And I know how important it is to you that you work with clients who value that so when it comes to taking on new projects and new clients besides budget, what are you looking for in a prospective new client or project that's really going to light you up in the opposite like what what are the things that you would just be like, I'm not interested in that. And it How important is that for Are you and in continuing to move this forward?
Whitney Walker
Sure, I get excited when a client says, We've followed your work on Instagram for years and we love you know, what your passion for older homes and we love you color and layering and via just you can get a sense for if somebody like a kind person with a perspective on all of this, like this is icing on the cake kind of stuff for life like this is not this is just not a life or death situation, like someone who has the disposition that, you know, things are gonna go awry in this custom world and affect fabrics and to come in from the wrong dialog or whatever it is, and that you think you're getting a sense that like they're gonna be able to handle that.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah. Oh, my gosh, Deaf per se.
Whitney Walker
Yeah, they have perspective. So those are some of the things that would be like, oh, yeah, we're good match. I've had a client and I've had calls come in, which normally, you know, you go from a place where like, you kind of need to take whatever comes your way too. And also wanting to take everything that comes your way, I love taking as much as I can. But having three kids has really, really carved out like, oh, I have a very finite amount of time. And time is going fast. I could not to get to existential I knew here. But like, I have a very I can't, I can't multiply my time. Like, that's the thing. I can't get more of time ever. So I'm really trying to take a closer look at how I use it and who I spend it with. And I would love to
Kate Bendewald
like, let's go to church, yes. Well, because the faster designers learn this, and the more they value, their time and their experiences, the better their careers are gonna be. And I I know for myself as well, I it it. It took me a little bit too long to figure this out. But go ahead, because you can't multiply your time.
Whitney Walker
Yeah. Yeah. And so I'm having to get just really specific with any scary because when you get specific, you're like, Am I ever gonna get hired? Again, it's vulnerable, you're like, I really hope that I get some jobs this year. Because I just turned one down, and I don't have one lined up. And that's like a risk. That feels like a leap of faith. But yeah, so the, like, somebody who wouldn't be a good fit would be somebody who calls and it's like, I had a call recently, I don't know if there's, I think, I don't know this person well, but shoot, this prospective client call them was like, you know, we really love value, but we want to get it at TJ Maxx, and we really just want our home to be a neutral, like expected place.
Kate Bendewald
not know who they were calling. That clearly is somebody that hasn't done their homework on you.
Whitney Walker
Right. And so well. It was, you know, a word of mouth. Referral, and I've heard wonderful things like we and that's what happens sometimes with like friends, you know, you just get word of mouth referral, and they don't really know you in like, a professional context. And so, in the past, I would have said, like, yeah, we can do that, let's do that, we'll definitely do that. And I have done that before. But, you know, coming along and realizing that's not my wheelhouse. That's not my, that's not what I get excited about. That's not i That's not even like my natural gifting, like I've had to, and that when I work outside those projects, when I work when I've worked in those kinds of projects, it feels like I'm speaking a different language. So it's like mentally exhausting, because I'm having to constantly change. And I do translate in all of our projects, because our clients, our projects are really quite specific. We try to be very specific and not just like, you know, I just I have a hard time repeating anything, which. But anyway, so I'm always translating, but that felt like just like really hard work, creative way to try and speak that different creative language. And there's people, you know, that do that beautifully. And it's super hard. I've actually learned to I'm like, oh, when you have fewer things in the room, you have to be so careful and edited and the composition has to be right and about it's like, oh, wow, it's a skill. But it's not like my wheelhouse sure having to tell her. I don't think one of the best fit.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, and how did you feel after that phone call?
Whitney Walker
Peaceful. You know, but then telling my husband about it. He's like, Well, you should give her a call back and you could probably do that. It's like,
Kate Bendewald
sounds like my husband to work. It's like, ya know what, I'm turning down into wholeness. Yes.
Whitney Walker
And then it's like doubt. It's like, oh, maybe I should have done that. And then I talked to a couple of friends About actually they're like, no, no, you did the right thing. Yes.
Kate Bendewald
Good. Good friends good friends. Yeah. Because you I mean, you know this, you're not. You can look at it as you know, saying no, but really, it's just leaving that door open for the right person. And if you are so true, and if you do say yes to them. And it doesn't feel like a good fit from the start, it feels like an uphill battle, it feels like that is a suck on your creative energy, and it doesn't let you up. And that is, I think, has this snowball effect for everything that you do. And just, I know, when I when I first started, it's so it's so hard to say no, it's so especially early on, especially for bigger projects. And I've had this one, when I first started saying no turning down projects. It was so scary at first and it was so I doubted myself. I was wondering, Woodson, where's the next project is going to come from? And, you know, I just thought the world works in mysterious ways. Every time I would turn down a project, something better came along every single time. Yeah, well, and
Whitney Walker
it's really, it really stinks when you're over loaded. And then the perfect thing comes through the door and you say yes. And then you have too much on your plate. And then you're drowning? Because you said yes to the wrong thing first.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Because you're already overloaded. So talk to me about this evolution of balancing your time, and how you and I know it's, it's never perfect, and it may feel like you're drowning on some days still. But I have personally seen a huge evolution for you, then, you know, through the things that you've shared with me, so tell me, what are some of the ways that you have adapted and grown in this area in terms of balancing your time as a mother as a friend and as a business owner and a creative?
Whitney Walker
Um, I would say the only thing that, like, I still feel like my friendships, and my physical health take a hit. Because I don't have as much time as I want for either of those are like two things that I'm like, Yeah, I need to do some more knob turning to adjust that. To give those some more investment, but I would say I've just learned to outsource a lot better. I used to just have a lot of guilt around feeling like Oh, outsourcing is just luxurious, and we can't afford that and blah, blah, blah. And now I'm like, No, actually, it's, it's 100% necessary to be able to be a mom and a wife and a friend and all the things all the roles that are important to me all the values that I have at the forefront of my life that will support that and so there's
Kate Bendewald
some examples of things that you'll outsource to help you in this process.
Whitney Walker
Well, on a personal level, just like practical that was just cleaning service twice a week grocery delivery. And you know, not everybody might need that and this is me my I'm just I am it is so hard for me to keep things orderly and right like so that's the I'm like yeah, that's the support absolute family needs because of my because one of my weaknesses. Yeah,
Kate Bendewald
well, I, I want to I want to dial this in a little bit more because I feel like it's something I've tiptoed around but when when I talk about outsourcing a lot I talk about find help where you need it. And I think our minds always go to or the default or the quick response might be to hire an assistant or a design assistant or you hire somebody for your design business but also that could be hiring and outsourcing things on the personal side of your life. Laundry, you don't Can you I mean the laundry with three boys. I couldn't even imagine that laundry, grocery shopping, driving kids to their things picking them up doing you know, it's nice to be able to connect with your kids in the car from you know, if that is how you do it, but cooking you know, some people like preparing a meal brings them joy and that's how they unwind and that's how they feel grounded and other people like that is a chore and it is just just another thing that they feel like they have to do so figuring out coming up with like a custom plan for yourself to figure out what are the things that I hate doing and start there are the things that are your natural skill set?
Whitney Walker
Yep. Yeah. Yeah, definitely outsourcing personally. Yeah. And that was like a point of pride to like, I don't need that. I'm like, nope, prides on need all the help I can get
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, yeah. But you do have an assistant that helps you and on the design side correct.
Whitney Walker
And hiring for and I've I've kept an assistant, really for the past seven years, I guess. Yeah. And then just recently hired a procurement assistant also, they're both part time. Yeah. And looking to maybe make
Kate Bendewald
the fact that we have done the quality, the quantity of projects that you have, and the scope of projects that you have with such a small team is mind blowing to me. So that alone is is pretty commendable. That's okay, what so and then what are their roles? And what do they do to help you? Obviously, the procurement person helps with procurement?
Whitney Walker
Yes. My design assistant, she started out more So project management, men, and now she's coming in more on. She did that for about a year. And now she's coming in more on the design side, like I'm looking for this kind of fabric or can you start this bookcase concept? Just helping me on the front end more, and the the site visits and consultations. And so now we're kind of figuring out like, we might have a little bit more room for another hire. So we may be bringing someone else on we have a part time game. There's also and looking to, I think, hire this wonderful lady right out of college for this upcoming year. Who's going to be like halftime, Nanny halftime parent in line. Oh my gosh. So
Kate Bendewald
that's really bringing her into the fold.
Whitney Walker
Yes, yes. And eventually, you know, moving her to full time Parrington lane, but starting this so it was like, perfect. And I didn't even we didn't even posted like that's the other thing was outsourcing and hiring. I never posted a job.
Kate Bendewald
Okay, like, so how are you finding your wish your people? God's grace. I love it. To be honest.
Whitney Walker
I really feel like, like, I'll identify the need, like, Oh, I think when you help with this, and then it's just kind of like whoever I've been in contact, like it just been relationships. Yeah, like I have this need. And I think you could kind of fill that would you want to fill this need? And that's just how, and I don't know if that's the best way to go about I'm not saying that the best practice? I don't know. That's just the way we've grown?
Kate Bendewald
Well, I feel like you're a pretty intuitive person. And you can intuit whether somebody could be a good fit or not. And you and you are such a relationship based person that That, to me makes a lot of sense for you. I don't know why. But I was just imagining how young your kids are. And you said they're all under six, right? Oh, the state tripping about I was listening to you talk and it was just like, all of this with these three little ones. I remember how we met for the first time it was so random. Do you remember? Going to Dallas? Oh, yeah. It goes. Yeah. So we we had never met, but somebody introduced us and said, You're two interior designers in this Deftones. Okay, Jeff, shout out to Jeff. He just did an episode with him. And so we I don't know if it was text or email. But I think I texted you and I was randomly like, there's this thing for designers happening at the Dallas showroom tomorrow. Do you want to ride out? Do you want to go with me? And you're like, Yes. And you walked into the house and you were like 10 months pregnant. And I was like, Oh, hi. Never met and we've we've spent the whole day in the car together at this event. And then on the car ride back. I'm pretty sure I cried on the way back because we were talking about something like so emotional. And so like, it's so personal. It was like this. This it felt like I had known you forever. It was It was wild. But it listening to you talk about relationships. I was like This checks out. This makes sense because I felt it just felt natural from the very beginning. And so I just was reminded of that, listening to your talk anyway, where I lost my train of thought.
Whitney Walker
That was a fun day. I remember connecting over wanting to design pieces you love and not wanting to sell just like mass market stuff. I remember that. And we were like yes, yeah,
Kate Bendewald
yeah, yeah. Absolutely. And it's easy to walk away feeling that way after you've gone to the Design Center and everything looks the same. So I want to talk about your brand. I tennety for a minute, I know that over the last year, maybe longer, I'm not sure you have spent some time and invested heavily in your business in really working to dial in the brand identity. Can you talk a little bit about where that came from what what that impetus was for you and what it's meant for you and the impact that it's had on your business?
Whitney Walker
I think it stemmed from, when I first started my business, I naively was just kind of like, you know, design should be for everybody, I want to work with everyone. At any price point, any budget, and I have figured out that design is really a luxury service. And in order to be profitable, and in order to outsource the things that I need to outsource, and in order to hold true to the value of, you know, wanting to be able to stand behind what we sell for longevity, like making those investment pieces, make, you know, looking into the sustainability of items, trying to buy vintage trying to buy, buy once buy, right, all these values that I'm, you know, pretty sure I'm like, oh, you know, it's expensive to do that. It's it is it's an investment. And the clients that have those same values around their home, like some, some clients just don't have that value in their home, and they just, you know, they want it to look nice, but there will they'll replace their target rug every couple years or whatever. And then you know, maybe they have that value somewhere else. And that's just not a value for them. So I figured out that that client, is it. It's just at a higher price point. And so I decided when I was at a crux to where I was like, do we move to do we rebrand to Whitney Walker design, or do we stay with Barrington lane and Farrington lane is a street named after my great grandfather in Grand Cayman, that is where my mom's side of the family is from. And my grandmother loved design and beautiful things and just about thinking about all kinds of tchotchkes and so it all started was kind of a nod to that. And I just decided ultimately, like no, this mate name needs to match me and I'm going to stick with it. And we're going to rebrand it.
Kate Bendewald
I'm so glad you did. Because that was a beautiful name. I love it. I didn't know. I do remember now I have asked you the story behind the name. And it is ringing a bell now. But I just love that story. And I think too, given your relationship with history, and it's so on brand, forgive the pun to have you reach back to history and have that via name that represents what you're about.
Whitney Walker
That is ultimately the conclusion I came to as well. Yeah.
Kate Bendewald
So but it was a heartbreaking I wrestled. So what all have you done in terms of honing that brand. In order to have this come across?
Whitney Walker
I worked with a wonderful graphic designer of Charleston. Her name was given to me by a friend of mine. And her name is Chris Mar Muldrow. And she basically did a study of our business values and of our aesthetic did a deep dive into who we are. And that was through visuals and through values and questioning, you know, we she basically just did a study of us and then presented us with sort of three different directions and three different concepts. And we said, Ooh, this is the one let's do this one. And she she did our all of our marks our logo. do kind of a light overhaul of our website, I probably need to do a heavy overhaul with her branding, but that's down the road. So
Kate Bendewald
and then for photography. Have you've worked with a stylist? Has that been a part of the branding process as well?
Whitney Walker
Yes, yes, I'm trying to get a consistent, like one photographer's perspective on our website, one point of view. So we're working with Jeff Jones and then our most recent shoot we hired out of Fortner a Silas, based out of Austin, who worked with a lot of designers and architects in town that I admire a lot and his attention to detail and interesting layers that he brings to imagery was just phenomenal and he's really fun to work with. It was such a pleasure and made the photoshoot so much less stressful. And that's so that is another that was another outsource point for motherhood like the three kids put me over the edge. And I'm like, yeah, no, I can't. I can't sell I can't I don't have the time. Like because that means getting anyway you Yeah,
Kate Bendewald
so you touched and I haven't. I've never worked with a stylist to me styling is one of the most fun parts of doing a photo shoot. But having just done three over the last couple of months, it is exhausting. And there's so much that goes in.
Whitney Walker
It is so fun. But yeah,
Kate Bendewald
well, and I know that you're like, when I look at these the, at least the one that I know, he helped you with. I still see you. So how can you tell us a little bit about that process working with him? And how were you able to connect in a way that he made sure that he was representing you accurately?
Whitney Walker
Well, I started looking at Silas work. So I kind of you know, I started with me that way saying like, who am I connecting with? Who am I liking? So I sort of honed it in first to him. And then we just had kind of a discovery call. And I told him about the project. And he works with really big, big designers and architects and like what? Yeah, like, I'm just bigger companies, and we're small. I've designed my business to be small, like, there's no, I'm not apologizing about that. But just reality. And so I just described him, you know, this is the project this is does this sound like something you'd be excited to work on? And that you would want to be in your portfolio? And he was like, Yes. And I was like, really, to work with. So and then we had this kind of a talk through the shortlist. And I sent him all the photos, the scouting photos and just talk through the feeling and the vibe, and he delivered.
Kate Bendewald
And so just I hope it's okay, if I ask you these questions, you don't have to answer any of them. But if it's like proprietary, I don't. I don't I don't know, because I've never worked with a stylist. But so does he bring in his own objects or work with objects? You have a little bit of both. And then like, how do you a little bit
Whitney Walker
about? It was collaborative. I mean, he he did the heavy lifting for sure. But there were a couple of times I was like, Hey, I don't know if I love that part. Or he or I'd say What do you mean by that? And he's like, No, this is better. He just had such an eye for detail and editorial in a way that I'm not trained in. I was like, I don't even notice that. And he sees something. I'm like, Oh, you're right, that looks way better. His I was just, it's just a completely different skill set, I think.
Kate Bendewald
And so from a composition standpoint, he's thinking editorial in terms of how would this show up in press? Is that kind of has the perspective, I think he'll do it he'll,
Whitney Walker
I mean, that's kind of the direction that I gave him. But I think, you know, he would style to whatever medium you pushed. But that's his background was was print editorial.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah. Oh, my gosh, that sounds so fun, I can absolutely see the value in working with a stylist at that phase. Okay, so I want to ask you one last question. And then we're gonna do rapid fire questions, which I know you're so excited about.
Kate Bendewald
You have mentioned now, a couple of times, you talked about your business values. I think this is something that we don't talk about enough in business. And so but it clearly is important. We don't talk about it enough openly or outwardly. Can you share with us some of your core values? And how does that show up in your business? Practically on a on a day to day basis?
Whitney Walker
Well, there's kind of two lines, like kind of like design value, there's my life style values go hand in hand with this. But I would say just at the outset of designing my business, I knew I wanted to, I knew I didn't want to put my kids and in full time childcare. And I've told you that from the beginning, that was just something that I want to do. And I remember a specific conversation with you because I was like, I'm not going to I'm going to do all the design, I'm not going to hire a design assistant. And you were like good luck with that. You're gonna have to outsource some of the design to an assistant, if you don't put your kids in hold on childcare. And you're exactly right. Yeah, so in terms of my personal value of putting the business into our life was, you know, I want I want time for my kids, I want time for our health time for relationships, time for friendship. So I want to build with this set amount of time, because this is not changing. And I've got to figure out how to turn these wheels to make this block work. And that, you know, you have to decide like are you willing to sacrifice growth to make that happen? And my answer was yes. And which hasn't had to always be yes. Now. Now we're going it just you know, it's probably slower growing toward the beginning than it could have Then, because I made that decision.
Kate Bendewald
Well, and to be clear, there's growth in different terms, there's growth in terms of capacity and how many projects you take on and and how many clients you're juggling. And that can and how big your team is or how small your team is. And that can be completely different from your financial growth and right, you can still stay small and grow financially over time if you don't if you do it right. So, but but you're talking about growth in terms of like your team, and maybe at this stage capacity?
Whitney Walker
Yes. Capacity. Yes. And you're right, we have been able to grow while staying small, which is like, so I'm so grateful. But core value in business is, you know, staying true to the environment and the architecture of the home. With a setting the place, you know, we've got Yeah, regarding that highly investing in pieces that you'll have for at least 20 years, I would love to help you find the pieces. Even better than that the pieces that you want to hand down to your children. So investing in quality handmade, where we can which you know, sometimes you can't do that for everything, but in your in your big items. Investing in original art is a core value for us. Repurposing, vintage antique, is a core value. And having fun with our clients and adding some whimsy and giving them room making room for the things in people's homes that are important to them, but maybe not the best aesthetic choice, like how do we make this thing from your grandmother? That's totally ugly. Work. Because if it's a piece that you look at, and you think of your loved one first, instead of how much you dislike it, I'd say that's a keeper. If you look at this piece and you think then let it go. Yeah, you know, I have a I have a painting in my hallway that's like gigantic from my grandmother. That I don't love. I would never buy it. But I think of her entryway every time I see it and it makes me happy. So it's in the hallway.
Kate Bendewald
I love that. Oh my gosh, I absolutely love that. What's that, but by the way, what what's your Enneagram? Number?
Whitney Walker
Um, I'm a six. Strong weighing seven.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, I was. What's the six again?
Whitney Walker
It's the loyalist. Oh,
Kate Bendewald
yeah. When I could see being loyal to not just people, but to your values, too. And we've talked about today. Oh, my goodness, I just got goosies Oh, I love you, Eddie, I could do this all you are amazing. You just blow me away and how you've been able to beautifully and imperfectly balance all of these things. And I appreciate you so much just for coming and showing up and normalizing the life of a designer while balancing relationships, whether that's children or friends or family or all of it. Because I think that we're all trying to figure that out for ourselves. And it's just it's so refreshing to hear some of the ways that you've done that for yourself. And I think that a lot of this will resonate with the designers who are who are listening today. Can I ask you a couple of rapid fire questions before we wrap up? Sure. Okay. In one word, good design is memorable. Love it. The one book that has changed your life
Whitney Walker
Oh, gosh. Um
Kate Bendewald
can be it can be a design. It can be a design book. But that's that's saying a lot to change your life.
Whitney Walker
Yeah.
Kate Bendewald
Golly, or a book that has had a big impact in your life for your business.
Whitney Walker
Profit First.
Kate Bendewald
Yes, love that profit first by Mike McCalla wits talk about that all the time. Okay. And the one thing I'm looking most forward to right now is
Whitney Walker
I leave for Mexico City in the morning.
Kate Bendewald
Oh my gosh. Okay, sorry. I have another question. What are you going to do in Mexico City? I absolutely am dying to go visit. I want to go by myself though without kids. Sorry, kids. Not by myself necessarily. But like I want to go with adults. Then I just want to go explore the art and architecture and food and dance and music and all the things so what are you going to do?
Whitney Walker
Yeah, yes. So that is pretty much what we're doing. I, that client I referenced earlier that loves color. That's a good friend. I had a moment earlier this. The history was in the fall. I was like, I gotta get out of here. Do you have a trip planned? She was like, Yeah, I'm gonna go city with my girls, the state you want to come? I was like, Yes, I do. Please let me come. So I just tacked on to their trip. Oh my gosh. I'm very excited. I'm gonna go see the Frida Kahlo Museum and Luis Plotagon house. And those are kind of like actually my two like, yeah, got to do those. The Museum of Anthropology I've heard is amazing. So Oh, my God. Yeah, I'm excited. I, um, I've been to Mexico City, but not in. I think it was like 2020. Maybe last time. So. Okay.
Kate Bendewald
Then just a minute. One of my good friends Molly. Who's Molly Casey. She's a. She's the owner and curator of at nine dot arts here. She's an art curator just went and had an amazing day. So I will I'll send her a little text and say, Is there anything she can't miss? Because you guys are kindred spirits in that way. So? Oh, my gosh, we'll have so much fun. How long have you gone?
Whitney Walker
Just three nights. That's good. But it feels like I'm like getting all my ducks in a row to be gone. And it's like, I'm gonna be down a month. But
Kate Bendewald
everybody will be okay. Everybody will be just fine. We'll have fun and I just can't thank you enough for your time and for your graciousness to come and hang out with me and to chat. Have a wonderful trip. I'll talk to you really
Whitney Walker
fun. I appreciate. Thanks again. Bye. All right. And I love what you guys are doing at designers oasis. It helps me
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, real quick. I forgot to say what before we go. Where can people find you online if they want to come follow all things? Farrington lane and Whitney Walker.
Whitney Walker
We're the most active on Instagram, Barrington lane, and you can check out our website. But yeah, Instagram is where we hang out the most in stories and posts.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, so it's very timberland.com. Alright, Whitney, have a wonderful trip. I'll talk to you soon. Bye, friend.
Whitney Walker
Thank you. Bye.
Kate Bendewald
Thank you so much for letting me spend part of this day with you. If you're loving this podcast, please share it with a friend who you think might also love it. Or perhaps you can take just 30 seconds to open your podcast app and leave us a five star rating. And if you have just an extra minute, go ahead and leave a review. This helps me so much and it helps other designers like you to find the podcast. It also adds fuel to my motivation to keep making great episodes just for you. However you choose to help. Please know I appreciate you so very much. Thank you, my friend. Have a wonderful rest of your day and I'll see you next time.
