Welcome to the Explore Home Podcast. This week, we invite you to Explore Home with Erika Ward, owner of Erika Ward Interiors in Atlanta. Listen as Erika describes her journey from majoring in finance at the University of Georgia to working at her family-owned flooring business. There, she put her business acumen to the test with budgeting and estimating construction projects.
Erika used this experience to be hired as the project accountant on the Georgia Aquarium. She was In her 20’s and terrified, but the experience proved to be invaluable in learning how to manage large-scale projects. During this time, she dabbled in interior design, slowly building a stable of clients. Erika left her corporate job in 2009 to open Erika Ward Interiors.
Neil and Erika discuss the importance of being visible online with blogs, social media and websites. Consumers want to know who you are and how you work before reaching out. Erika also gives tips on walking clients through their initial sticker shock by thoroughly reviewing all that is involved clearly and concisely.
Erika and Neil close by discussing why she loves attending High Point Market. Erika loves to visit her top vendors to see what’s new, as well as take the time to go off the beaten path. This Market she is looking forward to attending several educational events to broaden her horizons and network with like-minded professionals.
Learn more about Erika at erikaward.com and on Instagram at @mrserikaward