I’ve been in the interior decorating business for a while and have had a variety of clients. As a Black person, in my heart I really want to establish and focus on a Black clientele. I’m not a racist or anything and I’d be happy to work with all types of people, I just feel that Black clients are more comfortable dealing with a Black decorator, and I feel that as a Black decorator I can better serve my Black clients. Not that our tastes differ greatly from other people’s, but I think that Black people are more passionate and desire bolder colors and distinctive flair.
So I have two questions. First - am I wrong for feeling this way? Can anyone relate to my feelings? And second, how do I proceed to advertise my services toward a Black clientele? I’ve been contemplating using an African business name (in addition to the business name I’m currently using). What do you think about it?
I’ve been in the interior decorating business for a while and have had a variety of clients. As a White person, in my heart I really want to establish and focus on a White clientele. I’m not a racist or anything and I’d be happy to work with all types of people, I just feel that White clients are more comfortable dealing with a White decorator, and I feel that as a White decorator I can better serve my White clients. Not that our tastes differ greatly from other people’s, but I think that White people are more passionate and desire bolder colors and distinctive flair.
So I have two questions. First - am I wrong for feeling this way? Can anyone relate to my feelings? And second, how do I proceed to advertise my services toward a White clientele? I’ve been contemplating using an Southern business name (in addition to the business name I’m currently using). What do you think about it?
Not really. Black people have always been underserved and that’s a fact. It’s not as if white people are trying to do anything special for Blacks. There’s nothing racist about my post. That’s just the way I feel.
Further, you did not request my permission to re-write my original post. You are infringing and you might be more considerate of other people’s intellectual property in the future.
Further, you did not request my permission to re-write my original post. You are infringing and you might be more considerate of other people’s intellectual property in the future.
You might want to consider other peoples intellectual property as well.
I wrote the post again with how most non-Black people would read it.
If I replaced white with Mexican, Italian, Irish, or whatever the point would be the same.
Okay. But this is the OBD discussion board, I don’t really care about how most non-Black people would read it. They have their own discussion boards and if I gave a care about what the other races thought about it, then I’d go post over there. Do you have anything constructive to contribute to this conversation besides being argumentative? Because I’m being serious here.
The Organization of Black Designers is a non-profit national professional association dedicated to promoting the visibility, education, empowerment and interaction of its membership and the understanding and value that diverse design perspectives contribute to world culture and commerce. The Organization of Black Designers (OBD) is the first national organization dedicated to addressing the unique needs of African-American design professionals. The OBD membership includes over 3,500 design professionals practicing in the disciplines of:
Your feelings are what they are, nothing wrong or right about them, it’s only your personal need to follow your bliss that matters.
Your asking about niche markets, Trendwatching is always discussing the breakup of the traditional target markets and how to be more effective with a smaller consumer base.
The ‘Midnight Velvet’ cataloge is clearly targeting the African-American furnishing/fashion market, perhaps you could buy their mailing list and direct mail…?
Thank you for the valuable tip on Trendwatching, No Spec. I’ve been browsing tons of fashion/decor magazines, watching interior design shows and going to trade conventions trying to keep up with the latest happenings. I’ll look into MV as well.
There are a few books on amazon regarding interior decorating by african americans and they might have some resources as to how the decorators might have found their clients. I think there might also be a book about decorating in Harlem which might feature interiors of African American homeowners.
If you want to find clients, I would maybe try some online directories that feature black businesses and put an ad up. I don’t know if there are any inexpensive advertising options for many of the black publications both online and off.
Often, what works well is word of mouth… landing your first client and hopefully that might lead to others. Even better if you could do a photo shoot or a press release.
maybe contact Essence magazine, they might be interested in doing a small blurb on you and your services.
sorry about the info about landing your first client… i had to read your post again… I had stepped away from the computer.
While I think that targeting a market is great, maybe I wouldn’t necessarily limit yourself just by Black clientele. Perhaps your focus or an aesthetic niche does not necessarily have to be race-related or race -specific. I don’t know. If it’s more about the clientele rather than the work then that’s a different issue.
As for an African name, as long as it works for you in a real way then I would use it. Same issues for naming any company would apply - is it easy for clients to remember, spell, or pronounce, etc…
In any case… good luck… the key might be promotion in black publications to get more exposure in your target market…
Thank You BrookLynne! Contacting Essence and some other mags is a great idea. Regarding your suggestion on buying books by Black designers - I found this website thru Sheila Bridges - she has it listed in the resources section of her latest book! Thanks again - I appreciate your time very much.
I know that Essence magazine, for example, participated in the renovation of a brownstone in Harlem and like Black Enterprise magazine are pushing for higher levels of black homeownership. Black Enterprise might also be a great resource since part of their overall “Black Wealth Initiative” is homeownership… somebody’s gotta decorate these digs, right?
…i would look at some local promo ops as well…most newspapers have a lifestyle section or do local business profiles and they look for stories like yours every week…i did a stint as an interior and more than 80% of my biz came by word of mouth, so get out there and build relationships all those local suppliers and builders who also work in your target market…if you are more comfortable working within a certain client segement, your clients will be more comfortable working with you and that goes long way in interior design.
so do black consumers prefer black designers that are male or female?
Or is it just that they would prefer a black person to do the design work?
I still am ahving a hard time understanding you reasoning though. Is it that a black person would prefer a black interior designer to design the space with “cultural” themes. That I can understand.
Or are you just saying that black people prefer the same color schemes, cuase if thats the case, i dont see how a black person can pick colors that another black person would like better than a a person of a different race could.
Thanks MRD. I’ve joined my local Chamber of Commerce and established quite a few contacts with real estate agents and such - those are working well for me. I also have friends who are in business - one sells recreational vehicles and another owns an art framing shop and we all refer business to each other. And you are correct - it’s all about being comfortable. Thanks for the tips.
Hi BBarn, The decor preference of Black ppl isn’t necessarily “cultural” but there might be a desire for a few Afrocentric accent pieces, fabrics, and such and maybe not. And no - Black ppl don’t all like the same color palettes. But this isn’t really a racial thing, it’s more of a kinship thing. I think ppl feel more comfortable being around ppl with whom they share common experiences and interests. It’s kind of like when you go into a Chinese restaurant you expect the chef to be Chinese so that you get the authentic flavor. In that same vein - nobody cooks soul food like Black women and I have found that Black decorators/designers just have a certain flair or flavor if you will. I don’t know how to explain it exactly - and not to be disparaging - but it’s a Black thing.
I guess I personally don’t take that stance. I think that if i was to have a contractor or a designer or whoever spec a job for me I wouldnt be so narrow minded as to think that I may agree, trust, or feel more comfortable or whatever with a white person doing the work for me. (i am white). maybe it has to do with past experience and how you were brought up. i dont know. i only speak for myself. i’m not pin pointing a specific race, but in general if this is a common practice or thought process, it seems odd that different races or minorities want to be treated equally, but go against that view when making thier own choices.
Well, we all have our own preferences I suppose. And I didn’t start this thread to antagonize or to start a racial discussion or to change anyone’s opinions. I don’t consider myself a racist and I’m sure you aren’t either. But just to make a point - I’ll assume that you are a man. When you get your hair cut, do you go to a Black barber? Probably not. And not because you’re a racist, but because your barber has the same hair texture as you and you feel more comfortable having a white barber.
I’m a Black woman and when I get my hair done, I go to a Black-owned beauty salon. Just like most all Black women. That’s because Black beauticians know how to deal with our hair. It’s nothing personal against the other races, that’s just the way it is.
But anyway, let’s not have a falling out over this. I’m a to-each-his-own person. We can come together and exchange ideas and after that you go do your thing and I’ll go do mine - and we can all live happily ever after.
jsut so you know though. i am a man. i cut my own hair. and if i do go to a place to get my hair cut, its usually from a a black man or a Taiwanese man, who is also gay and i fully trust both of them. If thats not as far away from my status, i dont know what is. so i am not getting into an arguement but i think your views are just a bit foolish.