Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Benson.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career out of college in software sales. However, while I was working in sales, I always wished I had gone into a creative career.
I have always been passionate about design and flipping houses. I would scroll Zillow and look at “fixer-upper” properties and imagine what I would do to flip the property to increase it’s value. I still do today!
I am thankful to God he gave me my sales ability. I started doing really well in sales and used my first big commission to buy my first property, then about 2 years later I bought a 2nd to flip, and soon after Laura Elizabeth Interiors was born. I loved the remodel and design process. I knew this is what I was supposed to be doing.
I hired a business coach for 6 months to help me setup my business processes. I was working my software sales job during the day and my interior design business at night for about a year. It was a lot of work and sacrifice of my time, but it was 100% worth it.
In October of 2024 I was finally able to quit my software sales job and have been running Laura Elizabeth Interiors ever since!
I offer a budget-friendly interior design package, so I do a lot more volume at a lower cost than the average interior designer. This package is how I signed on most of my initial clientele.
I believe there is a hole in the market.
There are tons of middle class Americans that buy new homes and want them to look really nice, but design isn’t their skill set.
They need help but cannot afford a 50K to 100K interior designer, remodel, and furnishings- and that is where Laura Elizabeth Interiors steps in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think the biggest challenge was in the beginning. I was spending A LOT of money on my business coach for 6 months, managing my rental properties, working my software sales job, and investing in / running Laura Elizabeth Interiors.
The biggest struggle was my restraint of time and second to that, money. I bootstrapped the company myself, by the grace of God. I feel proud of the little company I have established so far, but I always remember that the talents I have are from God and not of myself. It’s important for me to share that part of my story. While a lot of sweat and tears went into creating this company, just as many prayers for God’s direction and provision went into this.
Even though there are many challenges now as a business owner, I am just so dang grateful I get to be doing this everyday. I really cannot complain. I also LOVE running my own business and getting to call the shots.
It is scary. But the emotions of anxiety and excitement are really close together in your brain, so I try to lean into thankfulness and excitement when things are stressful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider my interior design style “Eclectic-Cozy”. Think Amber Interiors (my favorite designer), but with a lot more color. I love to mix newly sourced pieces with a lot of vintage pieces. I have also studied the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, which is the art of creating balance and harmony in a space. This practice is implemented into all of my designs and is a differentiator I bring to my clientele.
We are also a one-stop-shop. I have an in-house architect, engineer, and two general contracting teams. We can build you a house from the ground up, as well as provide smaller jobs like our budget-friendly design package.
While I absolutely love when clients come to me for my personal style/brand, I still have a soft spot for my budget-friendly clients because they allow me to flex my creative muscles.
My budget-friendly clients might not necessarily be coming to me for my brand, but for my prices. I just charge a flat fee per room. Henceforth, I am often asked to design a wide variety of styles for these clients.
I have gotten to design a Victorian style home, a Japandi condo, a French country townhouse, modern-organic homes, and more. Because this package is offered virtually, I get to work with clients all over the United States (and Canada!).
It has been really great for me creatively because it pushes me and I get to learn a lot more.
All of my clients get their own bespoke website with their “before” and “after” designs built into their current spaces, by me. It’s really easy for clients to visually see what everything will look like before the remodel even begins. Plus, all of my clients get up to 3 iterations on their design.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you are interested in setting up a free consultation, just fill out the “Contact Us” form on https://lauraelizabethinteriors.com/contact
You can also follow us on Instagram @laura_elizabeth_interiors.
Lastly, I am looking to collaborate with photographers that can shoot interiors. Please reach out to us on instagram to submit your portfolio!
Pricing:
- Ranges from $500 – $850 per room for our budget-friendly package
- Please contact us for the price per room for our luxury full service interior design package
- Hourly pricing is available to add onto our budget-friendly package if you don’t want to do everything 100% virtually!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lauraelizabethinteriors.com/
- Instagram: laura_elizabeth_interiors
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Laura-Elizabeth-Interiors/61560867693143/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraebenson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laura_elizabeth_interiors
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/laura-elizabeth-interiors-austin
