In our latest KBB From the Tap Podcast, we speak with Hillary Cohen, founder of HCO Interiors, about how she emerged from a career where she worked for several top-tier design firms and reinvented herself, her work and her brand as an independent designer.
Our talk begins with Hillary recapping her early employment with Roman and Williams, Sill Huniford and Huniford Design Studio, where she worked on high-profile projects like boutique hotels and with celebrity clients across the globe.
She shares the moment she realized that the time had come to strike out on her own, and explains how she had carefully planned the big move.
After taking listeners through her exit experience – what went well, what were the more delicate touchpoints, how she addressed the NDA forms from her employers – the conversation turns to the challenge she faced upon starting her own studio.
Having worked under the umbrella of these marquee firms, Hillary realized she didn’t even have a portfolio of her own. She recounts how she worked to realize her own brand and identity once again, including negotiating credit for the projects she contributed to at her previous positions.
Finally, the designer shares the valuable takeaways from her early employers that she utilized when she went out on her own: creating a business plan, how to target clients, building a staff and more.
To hear more from Hillary Cohen, listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora and other outlets.
