“Creating a vibe is my art,” says Teressa Addington, owner of Paper & Onyx interior design studio in Lakeland, Florida. Teressa brings her background in fashion design and fine art to each and every one of her residential and commercial design projects — infusing a high-fashion sensibility that ‘s shaped both by trends in the interiors world, and by that season’s runway and couture shows.

As the founder of Paper & Onyx, how did you conceptualize the business model to cater specifically to your target clientele?

Teressa Addington: I have always had a love for design, art, and fashion. I created a business model that offers designer spaces curated through the lens of an artist with fashion design tendencies. Since my offer is a bit unique, especially for my area, I have worked to create a business model that is a full-service interior design model so the client is guided throughout the process with beautiful visuals, detailed plans, and timelines, to reach the end of the project with a home or business that they never thought possible without all the frustration and time spent. By overseeing all of the design decisions and filtering through the wants, needs, and desires, editing and sourcing to perfection, the result is pure poetry and high-fashion chic! My clients are chic, trend-savvy, and very busy professionals; we take care of all the details so they can simply enjoy the process and final result.

How do you foster strong relationships with suppliers, contractors, and other industry professionals to ensure smooth project execution?

TA: I like it when people treat me with respect, so I believe in the golden rule: treat others as you would have them treat you. This principle is paramount to any good relationship, whether in business or personal life. Communication is also high on the list, of course. Ensuring that we are all in the loop benefits everyone. Appreciation and meeting professionals on a human level are always priorities to keep the lines of communication flowing smoothly like a well-oiled machine. Setting deadlines is also a great way to keep everyone focused on the goal at hand.

What’s the design scene like for you in Lakeland? Which communities and resources do you lean on for professional support?

TA: The design scene here is interesting. Our downtown prides itself on supporting small businesses and fostering start-ups of all kinds. I lean on other entrepreneurs, local showrooms, and networking for professional support and resources. I love Lakeland’s many beautiful lakes. Occasionally, I will walk around them or go for a quick drive. It’s a great way to unplug and relax from a hectic day.

In the dynamic field of interior design, staying updated on trends and innovations is crucial. How do you keep yourself informed and inspired?

TA: I love watching the latest runway shows for the Spring and Fall Seasons, Couture, and keeping abreast of the conversations in interior design with all of the keen editorialists out there like Living Etc., AD, ELLE Decor, VOGUE Living, Pinterest, Instagram, and other professionals who are tuned into the vibes!

What’s your tech stack?

Business management software
Design Files, HoneyBook, Zena

Accounting software
QuickBooks, Design Files, HoneyBook, Zena


Project management software
Design Files, Google Sheets, Google Drive, Zena

Website
‍Wix

What systems and processes do you have in place / are you putting in place to ensure you’re running a profitable design business?

TA: Keeping track of my hours and being truly honest about how long it takes and what I should charge are important steps toward reaching my income goals and therefore running a profitable business.

I use Design Files to track my hours in real-time while I am designing, or I can record time spent at meetings or showrooms. This comes in handy to have a good idea of how long it takes me to design, and I can relate that to coming up with my project cost and fees in the future. I charge a flat fee.

What are some common challenges you face when it comes to managing budgets and expenses, and how does Zena help you address these challenges?

TA: A big challenge for our industry is reconciliation: managing retainers from clients, orders, and tracking accounts and purchases to stay on top of accounting and bookkeeping during the project.

Zena will help keep my retainer income separate from my business income, track my spending, track the spending of future employees, and simplify bookkeeping.

Why did you choose Zena for your design business? How has Zena improved your purchasing and reconciliation processes?

TA: Zena is unique in that it understands the exact needs of interior design firms and has such a robust system for managing, tracking, and accounting for the purchases and expenses incurred during an interior design project. With so many moving parts, having this task organized and contained is gold!

What advice would you give to aspiring interior designers who are looking to start their own design firms, based on your experiences and lessons learned?

TA: Beyond having the technical skill and talent, it’s a business, and it’s 2024, so you will have your work cut out for you since you can’t just start a business and expect the money to flow in. You have to have systems and processes, a solid idea of your ideal client so you can market your firm, and a strong social media presence. It is a lot of work, but it is necessary to do this and lay the groundwork and create a strong brand before you bring in help, I believe. Once you have a solid foundation and brand, you can train your team for success! Having Zena at the beginning will be a very valuable resource and should ease some of the weight of client project management and keeping track of your company’s finances. So, if you don’t have it already, I recommend it.

What growth strategies are you exploring to further scale Paper & Onyx while maintaining your signature level of service and quality?

TA: I am looking to do what I mentioned in the last question so I can grow my team and scale my business! I didn’t realize how important all of those things are to have in place when I founded Paper & Onyx. I am looking to bring like-minded people to my firm to continue the unique high-fashion and artistic aesthetic and shake up the industry. Talent in business management, marketing, interior design, and architecture will probably be my main focus for a power team. Focusing on nailing down my ideal client and ramping up my marketing campaigns, that way when the time comes, my team members will know my brand identity easily.