Happy Friday Friends! We’re starting a new series this week and we’re so excited to share some of our favorite people with you! These people are who and where we seek our home inspiration from on the daily.
Whenever we’re in need of a quick pick-me-up, we always seek out our favorite people for inspiration whether that’s their websites, blog posts, Instagram, or Pinterest profiles. And it seems that we always have the same handful that we’re drawn to and leave feeling completely re-energized. So this year we wanted to kickoff a Friday Features series of our favorite brands or people to give you all another source for home design inspiration! Get excited people!!
Each Friday we’ll be highlighting one of our favorites. First up on our list, iHome Registry. We met the iHome team through Instagram and laughed our pants off on our first Skype call. We hit it off with their team right away and have been working on collaborations ever since.
We did a little interview with the owner Patrick Daniels, and I’m excited to meet him in person for the first time next week at KBIS. So everyone, say hello to Patrick and follow along. I will let Patrick tell you a little bit more about what iHome is all about, but in short, it’s catered to homeowners or professionals to create your dream home. We use the program a ton whether it’s creating fun spaces for our homes or creating new layouts for our clients.
Here’s an example of the before, design plan, and after of a recent kitchen remodel where we used this program.
Before…
Design Plans…
After…
And what I love about their Instagram feed is that it showcases an assortment of creative’s work, so there is never a time you will not feel inspired after checking their feed out. My favorite thing about this industry is all the creatives you get to meet that are so nice and supportive to one another. And these guys are all about supporting everyone within the industry. And my favorite, they say it like it is. Most of their posts or comments they leave for us literally make me laugh out loud!
So let’s get to the fun part. Questions I was dying to ask and digging into an entrepreneurial mind…
Who you are, what you do?
My name is Patrick Daniels, and I’m the president and founder of iHomeRegistry and King Street Design Co. I launched iHomeRegistry in 2015, but began my career in 2007, working in sales, marketing, and business development.
What was your first business idea and what did you do with it?
Well, other than the many I started when I was a young kid, my first business was called “Vintage Village Design.” During this time, vintage was the new craze. So I would go out buying junk and turning it into something beautiful and functional. Between my sales skills, marketing/social media skills, and a good eye I did ok. The problem was that I wasn’t doing it full time. I was director of marketing at another business so that I couldn’t give my business full attention. If you have ever done that or own a business, then you know that you have to give it 110% all the time! It doesn’t work if you’re not.
What do you wish you had known before you started your first business?
I wish I had known how much fun it was! I would have made the decision a long time ago if I knew it was this much fun. The one other thing I wish I knew from the start is when to turn it off! Home is for family time, and the office is for office time. Thank goodness Lakin, my wife of almost seven years, is a warrior and has supported me through it all!
What did you learn from the worst boss you ever had?
I learned that culture in a business is one of THE most important aspects of a successful company and that your employees are your biggest asset. Here at iHomeRegistry, I’m trying to create a culture of free thinking and teamwork where our employees are excited to come to work every day and, most importantly, are 100% on board with the iHomeRegistry mission!
How do you use social media?
That is a big question! I won’t give away all my secrets, but what I always tell my clients and users who are trying to grow their following in a quick amount of time is, to be honest with their audience or potential audience. What do I mean? People know when a post is fake or feels forced. I think one of the best things you can do is to get to know your audience by asking them questions and getting them engaged.
If you really want to connect with an audience, ask Morgan, she does an amazing job connecting with her audience/following!
What are your three favorite tools for social marketing or home design?
Canva is one of my favorites right now, Photoshop, and of course my camera!
What would you do differently if you were starting in your industry now?
Believe it or not, I wouldn’t change a thing! As odd as it might sound, I’m so happy about the mistakes I made; they’ve actually been really important to my success because they’ve helped me learn. It might be a cliché, but you do learn from your mistakes.
Who inspires you?
My mother – she’s where I get my design eye and skills – and my father, the best businessman I’ve never met. Some others that inspire me are Farah Merhi from Inspire Me Home Decor, and of course all of our talented designers on iHomeRegistry! They inspire me every day to make the best interior designer and homebuilder platform in the world!
How do you keep up with the industry trends?
I read a ton! I also try to keep up with all the big shows around the country that my team and I attend, from High Market two times a year to the International Builders Show. Also, the handful of friends that I communicate with through Instagram…Construction2Style being one of them!
What’s your productivity secret?
A healthy balance in your life is vital. What that balance is to you, I don’t know, because every person has to figure that out for themselves. I’m told I don’t know when to stop, and that’s partially true because when I set goals or expectations, I can’t seem to rest until I meet those goals or expectations. Also, make lists! And use paper!!! I try to stay organized in all facets of my life and making lists has helped me conquer all my to do’s and goals I set for each week.
What is the top home design feature you see people incorporating into their plans?
Oversize great rooms even if it’s a smaller plan as well as oversized islands. Also, just a quick piece of advice to all of our designers and design enthusiasts, sunburst mirrors are out! Overplayed and yesterday’s news.
Thank you so much Patrick and the iHome team for helping kick off our Friday Favorites series! You guys are our favorites and I am SO excited to meet you next week in Orlando! Can’t wait to share some fun pictures with you all from the event and with the iHome team. Have a great weekend friends!!
