Meet Eddie Mickenberg | Interior Design Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Mickenberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I didn’t have any intention of owning a business after receiving an interior design degree 15 years ago. I thought I would maybe work for design firms all of my life. After graduating I have worked for established interior design firms who focus on luxury residential remodel and design work. I fell in love. Since then every move I have made for 15 years has been consistent and I have been fully focused and committed to only interior design by will, because of how much I love this creative industry. I have learned so much working for other businesses that allowed me to see the business side of things that you don’t learn in school. What I want to do for myself and what I don’t want for myself. I knew I was committed and in love with the work because of how difficult and challenging my path has been, and I’m still practicing to this day, even through all of my obstacles that could have easily pushed me out years ago. Everyday getting in the mud and figuring out how to keep my head above the water. Branching out on my own was one of the scariest positions I have ever been in because that meant I am relying on only myself financially. There is a large gap in responsibility between being an interior designer and owning an interior design business because you don’t have the safety net anymore. You are your own safety net to fall on. I made my decision to go off 100% on my own in 2020 when I had enough of being a lead designer for multiple firms where I was doing all of the work and creative aspects, but my name was nowhere to be found. Rightfully so, that was because I was working under someone else’s roof for someone else who appreciated my work. My motivation to be on my own was knowing that in order to take full credit for my designs, I needed to put a business “roof” over my own head with my name on the door (Figuratively speaking). So I did. I figured I would start by investing a little on myself and take the plunge, and it had to be one of the scariest, but best risks I have ever taken. 2020 was a year of reflection for everyone. To have to sit with my thoughts, take inventory of what didn’t work, where I am, and what I wanted.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My interior design business focuses on creating a story and a feeling in an environment. Functional aspects are important to. But, sometimes interior designers focus on just the functional aspects of the design and leave the visual look after. Which works for some designers and their preferred way of approaching a project.

Getting to where I am today has been very exciting, but challenging. I personally enjoy the part of being scared and shooting for higher marks that are out of my comfort zone. I understand that some of the moves I make are very very risky, but that’s also what got me some of the best opportunities I have had. I am very used to being told no and doors closed on me, so to me it’s like, “What’s one more? What’s 10,000 more?” Lol. You can also never plan too much or else you will never start. I learned to trust in myself and let things unfold. Just like my business, everything I do I am always building the plane as I’m flying it. And it always works out. It’s important to also be a great communicator, know how and when to set boundaries to protect yourself, but also know when to show empathy and compassion because at the end of the day, we are all human. I think sometimes that is easy to forget.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depends on the friend!! But, I love Bacari in Silverlake or The Proper Hotel Rooftop restaurant in Santa Monica. Those are really good restaurants and love the atmosphere. Some of my friends prefer more of the production entertainment industry so we would go to WB Studios or get tickets to see the Voice or the Price Is Right. If my family comes into town and they have kids, Santa Monica is fun during the week and so is the Grove to walk around. I typically try to recommend my family and friends to come visit during the week to beat LA traffic, parking, and the busy parts of the weekends that can prevent you from doing more in one or two days, if possible. I’m up for anything and living here for 15 years, there are always still new and exciting things to do every month. I also have a list of places on my notes section that I have gathered over the years of what places are fun to go to depending on location and vibe so depending on the person I can show them that list if they want to research before getting here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My friends and family have always been there for me from the very beginning before I moved out here from San Diego to follow my dreams. My mentors would be the business owners I have worked for throughout the years in the interior design industry that showed me different business styles, their character, and grit. I was a sponge for years and this didn’t mean I loved everything I experienced. It’s important to start at the bottom and work your way up in different companies working in the same industry. I ended up creating a business structure and formula that works for me and my business style. I am so glad I have encountered countless mistakes and wins. I got myself here because of my faith. Faith in myself. At the time my bosses were my examples (Good and Bad) But, ultimately it was my decision to keep going to do what I loved with the faith I had for myself l, to believe I can.

Website: https://www.eddiemickenberg.com

Instagram: emickenberg

Image Credits
Photographer: Andrew Bui