Erin and Keri are intimately familiar with all of the pieces needed to help interior design businesses and professionals thrive. They founded The Collective for Designers in Denver because they believe that “we are better together – as individuals, as designers, as a community”. They are business consultants, systems specialists, and people’s people who are on a mission to provide a collaborative community for designers to reach THEIR business goals alongside other creatives and business experts. The designers they love to partner with value community, are seeking expert coaching to gain control of their business, and desire a supportive network that doesn’t compromise their creative time.
Keri has a proven record in supporting designers as they manage projects and all the logistics involved. Before starting The
Collective for Designers, she worked in HR, consulting, and as the Director of Operations for a full-service interior design firm, gaining intimate knowledge of the pieces needed to help both the business and designers thrive. Keri loves partnering with the design community to build up their business, strengthen their confidence, and further their success. Known among her friends for chewing nearly a pack of bubblegum a day, Keri also enjoys her love of people and playing tickle monster with her kids.
Erin, aka the client whisperer, has a knack for distilling complex information into easily relatable messages. She brings momentum, decisiveness, and a bias for action to every challenge. Before co-founding The Collective for Designers, Erin was an Account Manager working alongside designers to support clients. With a background in communications and project management, she thrives in ensuring that client experiences result in rave reviews. She delights in seeing a designer’s shoulders relax and eyes light up when she provides an easy-to-implement solution to a challenging problem. Among her friends, Erin is known for her love of dogs, weird produce, and dad jokes.
What started as a “what-if” during happy hour in Denver with co-workers became The Collective for Designers. From Erin and
Keri’s experience working in interior design firms, they saw a gap in the industry – there are so many talented designers who feel stuck or unsatisfied working at a company where they lack autonomy or creative control. At the same time, many independent creatives are working alone, feeling stagnant, or spinning their wheels running their business rather than practicing their craft. Interior designers were forced to choose between support and autonomy, and they thought, there’s got to be another way.
The inspiration behind The Collective for Designers stems from a deep understanding of these challenges. Their “WHY” is truly rooted in the belief that we are better together. They bridge the gap between individual creativity and business acumen and believe that by creating a supportive and collaborative environment, designers can achieve their business goals without sacrificing their passion and craft. Their goal is to empower designers to succeed in their business ventures while fostering a strong, supportive community.
The Collective for Designers offers three core services: Community and Collaboration, Systems and Support, and Coaching and Development. Whether you need help navigating a specific hurdle, want to inject the vibrant life blood of collaborative community into your busy week, or are ready to make big business moves – “we are ready to hold your hand and climb the mountain with you”!
What are your future goals as a business owner in the interior design industry?
We are thrilled to announce that we just signed a lease on a new studio space in Denver! Picture a coworking design studio complete with samples, fellow designers to inspire your creative process, and a conference room to present to your clients. We are excited to see how this space evolves and our greatest hope is that it will become an incubator for interior designers to thrive. Our future goals include expanding this concept, offering more resources and support to our community, and continuing to empower designers to achieve their business goals while fostering creativity and collaboration.
What do you like best about teaching at Heritage School of Interior Design in Denver?
Our favorite part of teaching at Heritage is the relationships we are building. We are passionate about building bridges between students, professionals, and the broader design community. These connections foster a collaborative learning environment where everyone can grow and thrive together. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these relationships flourish and to be a part of such a dynamic and supportive community.
What advice would you relay to designers initially entering the field?
The advice we give to new designers is to keep an experimental mindset. Remember that nothing is permanent, and every experience is a learning opportunity if you take the time to reflect and grow. Embrace change and view challenges as chances to improve and innovate. Keep your mission in mind as your north star; it will guide you on your experimental journey, helping you stay focused and inspired as you navigate the evolving landscape of the design industry.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We will always emphasize the importance of community in the design industry – especially for entrepreneurial designers. At The Collective for Designers, we believe that by working together and supporting one another, we can achieve greater heights than we ever could alone. We invite interior designers to join us and experience the benefits of being part of a collaborative and empowering community. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, we’re here to help you succeed.
We are thrilled for this partnership between Heritage School of Interior Design in Denver and The Collective for Designers. Our values and mission are very closely aligned and we can’t wait to continue expanding this community and see more and more Heritage alumni and other interior designers in the Denver area grow their careers and businesses!