We were lucky to catch up with Ginette Lospinoso Dean recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ginette, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I started my business after being laid off from an industry and company where I had spent almost 20 years. I was fully confident in my understanding of the landscape of that company in every way. When I decided to start my own interior design business, I made a pact with myself that I would tell myself each day that I my education and work experience gave me the tools to be successful in this field. I also made a pact with myself that for the next five years I would keep blinders on, believe in myself and just keep the forward momentum. If you don’t let your mind think that there is a chance you are an imposter, you will forge ahead, have more self confidence and give yourself the freedom to succeed.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
While at the time it was destabilizing, being laid off was really a gift that allowed me to do what I love. Throughout my career I had many different roles, but those that I enjoyed most were the hands-on creative processes-photo styling, art directing, exhibition design. My art history education and associated travel provided the backdrop of the evolution of art and design since ancient times and subsequently my work at an auction house reinforced that education and gave me an even broader knowledge base of furniture and decorative arts. In my job now, I love collaborating with clients to make their homes a happier and more functional place for their family through design which is in essence a creative process. I think my background gives me a unique take on design. As a student of art and design history, I appreciate and genuinely like almost all styles and periods. Because of this I am able to offer my clients a design that is personal to them and their design taste, while some designers have a singular style and will not deviate regardless of client’s preference. I see working in a multitude of styles is so much more creative and interesting and offers my clients something they may not be able to find with another firm.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being an entrepreneur, I feel fortunate that I attended business school. I understood the basic tenants of running a business, reading financial reports, marketing etc. If you don’t have a business background, read up or partner with someone who complements your skills. The ability to connect with and read people is an asset in any business. I never underestimated the importance of emotional intelligence and service whether it be to your clients or trades. When you make people comfortable and happy working with you, trust develops and your creative endeavors become much more interesting. Probably most important is perseverance. There will be mistakes, but you always have to look at them as learning opportunities and then push forward. You can get mired in the negative so quickly and it will ultimately impede your success.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I find biographies extremely inspiring. I have so many that I love, but I always fall back to those about Julia Child. She was someone who reinvented herself in her mid 40s and became a global phenomenon. She was rejected so many times, but she persevered and became a success and a pioneer in her field at a time when a woman of that age was often put out to pasture and overlooked.
Contact Info:
- Website:www.gldinteriorsny.com
- Instagram: gldinteriorsny
- Facebook: gldinteriorsny
- Linkedin: Ginette Lospinoso Dean
