Founder of Wyckoff, N.J.-based Thyme & Place Design, Sharon L. Sherman is an advocate for industry involvement – as evidenced by the CKD, ASID, CID and NCIDQ credentials she’s earned. Respect – for clients, team members and herself – is at the core of her practice.
How does your background influence the way you approach the design business?
Sharon L. Sherman: My answer is two-pronged. First, I did not grow up surrounded by opulent interiors. We lived a very modest life. My mother taught me how to sew and refinish furniture and we repurposed and renewed much of the furniture in our home. This helped me develop a respect for the materials I use and made me very conscious of being respectful of a client’s budget, no matter what that budget is
As a young designer, I worked on large-scale housing developments. When markets were good, I was given a quite a bit of freedom but when markets were not as good, I needed to be able to supply products and services to fit a different budget without sacrificing quality. It made me understand that quality and craftsmanship is more than the brand name on the label. Recognizing value in the materials I brought to the project was just as important as what I brought to the project in terms of customer service, excellence in design and the relationships I developed with clients and vendors. Working as part of a large team, mostly men, during what is now known as the catalyst of the “me too” movement taught me so many lessons on standing up for yourself but also being willing to learn a thing or two. Taking that attitude developed mutual respect – something that is part of the fabric of my business and my relationships with my clients, vendors and contractors who are part of my team today.
What has been your biggest business challenge – and how did you resolve it?
Sharon L. Sherman: I think connecting with the right person to entrust my clients’ homes to and my design vision with was the biggest challenge. I went through a few contractors before I met Randy Veenstra on a project. My client asked if I would be willing to work with her contractor whom she really liked and respected. Of course, I said yes and that was 20 years ago. Randy and I still are a great team, still respect each other and each other’s work. He is a big part of my success, and I like to think he feels the same way.
What is the most important career lesson you have learned?
Sharon L. Sherman: Know your value and the value you bring to the table, whether it is with a client or an employer, and believe in yourself. During the 20 years I worked for the housing development firm, I contributed a lot in terms of revenue, commitment to their success and developing a business division that benefited the entire company. I was certain that I would be promoted to a management role. Unfortunately, I was not and I realized that if I wanted to make a mark in this industry and not lose respect for myself I needed to leave and start my own business. The day after our staff meeting, I resigned. That was a big step, but I knew that I could put in the work – I had an amazing background in running a successful segment of a remodeling business. I took what I learned, put my spin on it and never looked back. It was time for me to get my own place and so Thyme & Place Design was born.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about entering the design business?
Sharon L. Sherman: I tell someone who is just coming out of school or transitioning from another career that they really don’t have a basis for understanding what goes into running a successful design firm. When you are working in someone’s home, you are entering a very private place, a soulful place. It is more important to learn to listen to the client than it is to create the perfect mood board. I am not sure design school truly prepares students for all the nuances they will need to be successful in the design world. There is real work that goes into the beautiful pictures you see on social media; it is not always glamorous work, and you need to be willing to spend time in the trenches where you will gain a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience.
What has design taught you about life?
Sharon L. Sherman: A client recently gave a description of working with me to another client. She said, “Sharon is so enthusiastic, so passionate about what she does, so professional and has the ability to take all of the possibilities in the universe and narrow it down to three or four perfect choices, she makes the process fun and the result is amazing.” She also pointed out that even if I might not love the direction a design is going, I am willing to pivot and find a compromise which respects the choices that, she, the client has made. I think that really sums us what design has taught me. Find your passions, love what you do, but always respect yourself and those around you and never forget that pivoting in a new direction is just the beginning of an exciting adventure.