Bold Journey | April 2024
Meet Lygia Harkins
Photography by @johncwoodcock and styled by @lindsey.louise.steed
We were lucky to catch up with Lygia Harkins recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lygia, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Interior Design is my second career, I started in advertising and pharmaceutical sales. In order to be effective at communicating about your products/offerings, you have to be able to speak to anyone at any time with confidence. Also, cold calling will build character in anyone and help build a thicker skin and ability to handle rejection!
When I went back to school in my early 30s for Interior Design, I noticed that the skills I had learned in my previous careers were a real asset. Giving presentations and letting clients know that you really believe in the options you are presenting are crucial. We are dealing with money and people’s homes, two very sensitive topics. Now client presentations are one of my favorite parts of the job!
Photography by @stephaniecrusso and styled by @kate.lines
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Lygia Harkins Interiors is a Full Service Interior Design Firm based in Phoenix, Arizona. We have projects in multiple states but Arizona is always home. We love to add color and touches of Arizona into all of our projects and having the clients feel at home is our most important goal. We do not have a signature “look”, instead I want each project to look different and be a representation of the client’s lifestyle and what they love. We do ground up construction, remodels and furnishings.
We also have another service called Design Assistant that I launched a few years ago. It is for client’s that need a designer’s seal of approval and to tell them what will look right and where to buy it. They do all of the ordering and implementation. It’s great for clients that are willing to get their hands a little dirty and be more involved in the procurement and delivery process. It’s been a really great complement to our Full Service offering.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Definitely to intern and work for at least one firm before going out on your own. There are so many practical things about this industry that they do not teach you in school. Purchase orders, billing, receiving etc. Also, to learn from designers that have come before you, they are a wealth of knowledge. And we are in a service industry so there are going to be tough situations and clients. You have to be able to hold your composure and grace in difficult situations as much as possible.
Photography by @stephaniecrusso and styled by @kate.lines
Photography by @tiffany.tebbs and styling by @petiterouge1 & @kate.lines
How would you describe your ideal client?
We have an ideal client and I have even thought of giving her a name. She is a mom and might work as well, but definitely is in charge of a household and all the work that comes with that. She is also involved in a lot of activities outside of the home whether it be for kids or otherwise. She knows what she likes but does not have time to do it all herself. She wants organization and communication but trusts us to make choices that will be right for her home. There are pets in the household too and nothing can be so precious that a glass of wine can not be spilled on it. She and her husband are building, remodeling and/or furnishing their forever home and are willing to invest in nicer pieces that are quality but not outrageously expensive. She dresses well but there is always a value piece from Target or the like mixed in with a nice handbag or shoes to elevate the whole look. This is definitely the type of person we love to work with!