Meet Lauren Small

We recently connected with Lauren Small and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, 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.

Oh it’s something that’s in the room with me every single day. But when it gets particularly loud, I just remind myself of my milestones – like walking into a finished space I created with a very happy client… or one of my peers complimenting my work. Shifting my mindset back to my wins – no matter how big or small – immediately gives me that little jolt of “Girl, you got this. Keep going”. In time, that imposter syndrome gets quieter and quieter as I fill that space with more wins. But until the imposter syndrome completely goes quiet, I just try to reframe it as something to overcome and motivate me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m Lauren Small of Studio Small, an interior design studio based in Los Angeles.

I spent 10 years Executive Producing high profile commercial and music video productions… but my heart wasn’t in it anymore. I was moonlighting as a design student during productions and sales trips, spending my off-time designing for family and friends… I loved designing our production offices more than I loved the gig itself. That was telling.

So like any sane person, I quit my big fancy job to finally pursue my passion for Interior Design full time. And that’s how Studio Small was born.

I was lucky enough to land some amazing clients out the gates, including a full design and renovation of Chairs Barber Studio in Echo Park and a full renovation of a home in Yucca Valley (we’re breaking ground this week!).

I like to think that good design can change the way you live your life, and that the spaces we inhabit directly reflect and influence our inner world. But more importantly, I believe the process should be fun, collaborative and approachable – that’s my favorite part of the job.

Whether you’re renovating your entire home, building out a storefront or just updating your bathroom – no project is too big or small. (See what I did there?)

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Knowing how to work with people. This might seem like an obvious one but someone who’s well-liked and respected by clients and peers it’s one of the greatest indicators of success, in my opinion. And that goes for any career to be honest. You can be the best designer in the world but if you are awful to work with – well, let’s just say no one likes to work with an asshole. And that follows you. I’ve spent YEARS honing the craft of dealing with difficult personalities, leading a team, navigating tough situations… from my time as a waitress to my time as an Executive Producer… it’s all relevant and I pride myself on bringing as much joy as I can to the process. And it shows in referrals, in the reviews, in the tone set on my job sites… and just in the overall vibe of the business. So whatever you do, and wherever you start in your career, I always recommend focusing on your people skills first and foremost.

Trusting my instincts / my eye. You can learn technical skills and absorb other designer’s work all day long…. but trusting your instincts and honing your style with blinders on is the biggest trust fall you can do to ensure your work feels original and has a point of view that sets you apart. It’s hard to do but trusting your own creativity is exhilarating. I’m laughing as I write this though because here I am giving advice while I still have to actively coach myself on this every day.

Keep learning. If ever I feel like I’m in a rut, I force myself to learn something new. Either a new technology, a new design theory, seeing what other people are putting out there. By staying in a constant state of learning I feel like I’m always moving forward, even if I’m at a stalemate. And almost every time I force myself to acquire a new skill, it somehow always breeds a new opportunity or inspiration.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Honestly, tapping into the design community has been a huge and surprising avenue of support for me. I was absolutely flabbergasted at how willing members of the design community are willing to share advice, help you problem solve, offer resources – you name it. Sometimes it feels like everyone is kind of on their own island in the design world but in reaching out to people I admire and who have established careers, I haven’t come across a single person who isn’t willing to hop on the phone and tell me about their road to success, lend advice or offer to be there as a resource as I build my studio. It’s really remarkable and in a lot of ways, it restores one’s faith in humanity! It’s such a creative and collaborative community and I feel very lucky to be in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heystudiosmall.com
• Instagram: @studio____small