Today we’d like to introduce you to Briton Bieze.
Hi Briton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Many years ago I left my previous career in public health and was searching for something that was more creative and personal. I grew up with an artist mother and had always loved art and been interested in architecture and design. I had also lived and travelled all over the world, and always enjoyed setting up my new homes and incorporating local art and furniture into those spaces. My homes have always been both a sanctuary and a deep reflection of my interests, hobbies, priorities, style, etc.
As I was exploring different ideas my husband and I had an opportunity to purchase some land in town on which to build our dream house. I had a vision in my head as to what I wanted the house to look and feel like, but I had a hard time finding floorplans and the look that I wanted. So, I decided to go back to school to learn how to bring my vision to life. While in school I discovered that I loved my design classes and decided that a second career in interior design was both possible and a good fit for my skills and goals.
After graduating with my Associate’s Degree in Interior Design I officially opened my design studio, Bieze Design, in September, 2022. I started out slowly as I was busy designing and overseeing the construction of our house, and I had so much to learn about owning a small business and the interior design industry. Once we moved in I was able to devote more time and energy to growing my business, refining my services, serving more and more clients, and always continuing to learn more and more about interior design and running my own business.
Now I’m in my 4th year and enjoying the journey as a small business owner and especially loving the design work and helping my clients fulfill their dreams for their homes. As a recent empty nester, I’m also thankful I have a new career to focus on and one that is so personally satisfying. I feel very grateful for the wonderful clients I’ve had and for all the support from my family and friends.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have certainly been many growing pains along the way. I had only worked for medium sized non-profit organizations before, so owning my own business was totally new to me. While I had a class on the business side of interior design in school, it’s quite different to actually open the business and learn how to grow it in real life. There are also so many different aspects of running your own small business, and I often feel like I’m being pulled in many directions that I didn’t expect and for which I don’t have the experience or skills. I also didn’t want my business to be a financial burden on my family, so I’ve tried to do as much of the business work as I could.
Additionally, my only experience working in interior design before opening my business was a semester-long internship. This experience was definitely incredibly helpful and rewarding, but I still had to discover what design services and what processes would work best for me and my business and what my brand voice would be. It has definitely been a journey of self-discovery and trial and error!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a residential interior designer in Chapel Hill who owns Bieze Design. I help home owners by designing functional, contemporary, personalized spaces so they can move freely in their homes with joy, peace and connection. I strive to help clients create homes that feel authentic, comfortable, and beautifully curated. I most enjoy blending modern lines with organic colors and textures to create a sense of artistry, depth and balance. Clients come to me for designs that are thoughtful and original and a process that turns collaboration into homes that truly reflect their lives.
I consider a person’s home to be the heart of their world – where their family lives and/or visits, where friends gather, where they pursue their hobbies and interests, where they work, and so much more. I want my clients’ homes to not only meet their needs functionally, but also feel authentic to who they are and what they love. I love being able to help my clients achieve that for their home.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have learned so many lessons along the way, but most importantly: to trust in my journey, to be patient with the pace of growth of my business, to feel confident in myself despite my previous career being in an entirely different field, and to remember that I don’t have to, nor should I, do it all myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.biezedesign.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/biezedesign
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/biezedesign
