In this episode, Laurie Laizure from “To The Trade” and the Interior Design Community interviews Anna Gibson, the founder of AKG Design Studio in Reston, Virginia. Anna shares her childhood influences in design, her specialization in kitchen and bathroom design, and the changes in her business model to incorporate comprehensive design services. They discuss interior designers’ challenges while managing their businesses, especially during health crises like long COVID, which Anna has experienced firsthand. She addresses how her illness affected her business, how she managed projects with limited energy, and the importance of delegation, a supportive community, and strategic outsourcing. Anna also highlights how she ultimately found that eliminating gluten significantly improved her health. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking help when necessary. Follow Anna on Instagram at AKG Design Studio to catch up on her upcoming adventures and projects.
Time Stamp-
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:39 Anna Gibson’s Background and Journey into Interior Design
02:44 Specialization and Services Offered by AKG Design Studio
04:00 Market Trends and Business Insights
05:34 Revenue Streams and Business Challenges
10:39 Coping with Long COVID and Business Management
21:09 Navigating Stress in Design
22:01 Coping with Chronic Health Issues
23:38 Managing Energy and Communication
26:11 Discovering a Gluten Intolerance
29:47 Balancing Business and Personal Life
37:30 The Importance of Delegation
42:46 Final Thoughts and Social Media