Listening is the foundation of a successful relationship with clients. By empathising with their needs and vision, we build trust through honesty, transparency and open dialogue. For me, it’s not just about delivering a project; it’s about making clients feel genuinely at the heart of the process.

We’ve always valued our recruitment process, ensuring we attract exceptional talent aligned with our ethos. But hiring is only the beginning; retaining and nurturing a team is where the real work begins. To this end, we’ve developed training programmes, feedback channels, and 360-degree reviews to create a supportive environment.

I’ve been fortunate to have had many mentors and coaches throughout my career. From industry leaders to business coaches, I’ve always sought out people who can challenge and inspire me. One lesson that resonates deeply is encapsulated in Maya Angelou’s words: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

I’ve also learnt the value of collective learning through our team at Elicyon. It inspires me daily, reminding me that mentorship is not a one-way street but a reciprocal process. The trust and belief of those around you can become one of your greatest assets.

As someone deeply ambitious for my projects and clients, I find myself driven to work relentlessly. However, I’ve learnt that investing in rest and creating space for inspiration outside daily tasks is not just necessary but also invaluable. I’ve also come to accept that the lines between life and work often blur, particularly as a founder. But rather than resist this, I’ve embraced it. These blurred boundaries have led to some profoundly creative moments.

I learnt early on the importance of not accepting what was available in the design marketplace. Instead, we created our own collections for renowned brands such as Christopher Farr, Spode, Andrew Martin and GP & J Baker. This allowed us to be inspired by a love of art, craft and travel to create unique and personal designs. It’s an art to get the best from a team of creatives; when we encounter a problem we don’t leave a meeting until we’ve found a solution – or at least a way forward.

When starting out, it’s important not to take things personally. When something goes wrong, dust yourself down, pick yourself up and carry on. I’ve also learnt that you shouldn’t change your mind halfway through a project if everyone doubts you. Keep a cool head and believe in yourself.

I love my work, it’s a major part of my life, I work alongside my husband and two of my daughters, so work and life do tend to blend a bit. Take a dog to work, it makes the office feel like a home to have a dog sitting in a wing chair wagging his tail and always agreeing with everything I do.

Moving to the US for six years was a pivotal decision for me; I learnt so much and had a significant influence on my career. I am so happy I did that. Early on, I realised the importance of listening to clients and taking on board what they are asking for. It’s such a luxury to work with great clients and talented people; I love going to an architect or specialist with an idea and then addressing various thoughts and ideas. It creates the sort of magic that never happens in a dictatorship.

I learnt about creating magic from my mother – finding wonderful sources of things that no one else knows about. Robert Kime was also extremely generous to me and someone whose style and taste I admired greatly. For all sorts of reasons, it’s vital not to copy other people; authenticity is important and with so much on the web now it’s obvious when you are doing the same as everyone else.

I always advise those starting out to take opportunities. I would try to get a job in one of the big design firms and absorb everything they have to offer. And make yourself indispensable. Not everything will always run smoothly; it’s important to acknowledge the disasters, take full responsibility and move everything to put them right. It can turn a bad situation into a positive one quite quickly.

Becoming a partner in my current design firm and stepping into leadership was a major turning point for me. It’s been a game-changer, allowing me to influence the firm’s direction and grow both professionally and personally. In my early thirties, I realised I had strong project management skills and started running teams and projects alongside designing.

I stay calm and remind myself that most problems aren’t life or death. Take a deep breath and avoid being impulsive and involve others – teamwork makes all the difference.

Be yourself; clients appreciate honesty and authenticity which build trust and keep the relationship real. Stay connected – go to events, network and keep involved. You’ll meet amazing people who share your passion and inspire you.

I’ve had incredible support from my fellow directors and my husband. They’ve helped me grow and stay grounded. Be a good listener, care about people, and respect your team. Leadership is all about supporting others. I take one day as it comes, then one week, then one month. I keep a tight diary and put in days with the family. It’s all about finding a balance, even if it’s not perfect.

One of my earliest projects was working with Madonna on a wonderful 1920s Mediterranean-style house in Beverly Hills. The experience trained me to work with demanding clients who have busy lives. Around the same time, one of my projects was featured in Architectural Digest and that seemed to set things in motion. Soon afterwards, being included on the magazine’s list of Top 100 architects and designers was another major milestone.

Designers must listen to their clients. It’s not about you or your ego. As a firm, we are transparent in sharing invoices, adhering to budgets, and doing our best to meet timelines and expectations. Treat your clients’ money as prudently as if it were your own! It is equally important to establish your value; you must position yourself as an expert who delivers the best service, not just someone who can find something specific at a certain price.

I try to mentor my employees by explaining why I make certain design and business decisions and always ask them to do a bit more than they think they can do, which results in their continued growth and confidence. I also encourage them to find the ‘gift’ in everything that seems to be a problem. There’s a famous quote by author Joseph Campbell that has become my mantra: “Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.”