Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Weiss.
Hi Tiffany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I actually went to school for design and somehow knew I wanted to do this since the 8th grade. A teacher told me about a 3d modeling/drafting class as an elective option, so I took it and loved it. My degree is a Bachelor’s of Interior Design from the University of Arkansas. The year after finishing school, I moved to Puerto Rico for a year, with my boyfriend of six months, where I took on my first freelance commercial space planning job designing an office space. After moving back to Arkansas, I felt lost not knowing which route to go work-wise until an older friend became a sort of mentor and guided me into applying for the right architecture firms.
All throughout college I always thought I wanted to go that route.. commercial instead of residential. All of my friends in interior design call the residential space the “wild wild west”. It’s much more unpredictable than commercial jobs! Fast forward seven years and a series of jobs from space planning to 3d modeling to product development, my family made the move to Massachusetts for my husband’s job. There was a three-year design hiatus to raise kids, and then jumped back in to the field after another family move to California, but this time I went the residential route.
In 2017 we picked up and moved again to Minnesota. The business in California was part work, part hobby if I’m being honest with myself, but once we moved to MN I decided to buckle down and dig in. I currently work out of my home office and have an intern to help. I love keeping it small and may only ever hire one or two people tops if needed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road. Part of me wishes I’d worked for a residential firm right out of school, instead of a commercial. There is SO much to learn on the back end of residential interior design that was not taught in school. Which programs to use for project tracking, how to profit off furnishings, how to excel at selling your designs, bookkeeping (before you can afford to outsource it!), and the list goes on and on. All of this was learned through trial and error, podcasts, and reaching out to friends.
On the flip-side, it’s always good to remember that my time in the commercial world definitely had benefits. There are now so many skills I wouldn’t have had otherwise such as 3d modeling, Photoshop rendering, fabric/color knowledge from my product development days. There’s always a silver lining.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Tiffany Weiss Interior Design, or TWID, is a full-service Interior Design studio that works on residential and small boutique commercial projects. We are design enthusiasts who thrive on details and curating unique, one of a kind client inspired spaces. We work on new builds, remodels, kitchen & bath design, custom cabinetry & furniture design, architectural detailing, finishes, and more.
We love to use small business creatives for sourcing furnishings, tile, lighting, and accessories. Minneapolis is chock full of creative makers and we’ve found many more throughout the states! Our firm works on all design styles but always maintains a clean aesthetic with an eclectic edge.
We are super proud to have repeat clients every year. This says so much about our work and partnership with these clients. I’ve been told that once you get the “design bug” it’s hard to stop. It’s so true! Once a person lives in a well-designed tailored space, they want their entire home to make them feel that way.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Being trustworthy, friendly, and uniquely creative are core TWID qualities. Of course, there’s so much more to success from a business perspective. That being said, a genuine care about your client throughout the entire design process will go a long way.
Contact Info:
- Email: tiffanyweissdesign@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.tiffanyweissdesigns.com/c-o-n-t-a-c-t
- Instagram: @tiffanyweissdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffanyweissinteriordesign
Image Credits
Nicki Fladebo
Amanda Marie Birnie
