Hi, Nan! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
I'm Nan Marshall, founder of The Sanctuary Design. I am a Holistic Interior Designer with over 18 years of experience in the interior design industry. I am a proud dog mom of Darby the Doodle and Chance the Labrador Retriever and also, a skin-mom to my son, Cole. It is my vision to be able to guide my clients in connecting with their homes to help them transform both their lives and their homes. This is done by considering home and lifestyle as a whole (both physical and mental) and incorporating elements such as space clearing, de-cluttering, space planning, and color to create a serene, inviting surrounding for my clients that rises to meet them. It is a process that allows my clients to be fully engaged with their homes and to help them see the effects that using these methods has on enriching their lives in general.
What excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
I love the sense of excitement and camaraderie that this network embodies. There is a sense of belonging and support for other women which I'm absolutely am obsessed with!
We're so happy you're finding your place here! What made you take the leap to start your own business?
I believe that with all of the stress and anxiety in our current world, we need to start really seeing that our lives begin and end with our homes and if we are not connected with them, it has a direct correlation with our lives. The holistic interior design field is very unknown and I think that if more people were aware of the simple changes they could make in their homes that would change their lives, it would be incredible!
Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?
I started my interior design business as a mere side hustle and really all I did was some marketing on Instagram. I have an incredible community of like minded people who have been incredibly supportive and anything I was offering or talking about they always shared to their community as well. I really have only based my business so far on word of mouth...I find that it has worked so well and there is nothing better than a referral from an actual person. TBH social media is something that really freaks me out and just overwhelms me so I haven't really been as great on it as I know that I need to be!
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?
I think the biggest challenge I have encountered so far is learning to say NO! I have been a real people pleaser and taking on too many projects has been very difficult. I found myself working long hours and never taking time for myself. This has taught me to create boundaries for myself and to stick to them which has resulted in a happier, healthier life.
That's such an important lesson to learn! What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is raising my son as a single mom for many years! Businesswise it would be creating a successful business without any formal training in my field.
Both amazing accomplishments! Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
Work/life balance is crucial in entrepreneurship! Setting boundaries and taking time for yourself is vital. These are both difficult to do when you are working so hard for yourself and trying to make your business successful but what I have found is when you say "no" people only want it more and they are really willing to wait for you and what you have to offer.
What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?
Listen to your heart and follow your gut! It will NEVER steer you wrong.
What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
I JUST incorporated my company and am in the creative process of adding a brick-and-mortar "apothecary" to my business which will allow me to connect with my community and provide holistic design services as well as products for clients.
Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!
About the Author
Entreprenista Team
