Paula Benton and Mary Adams of Cocoon Interior Design in Brevard, NC provide an example of how an entrepreneurial partnership can work. Paula started the business and Mary joined her later, and they have combined their backgrounds in art, advertising, and interior design to offer full service residential and commercial design services.
1. How did you get started in interior design?
Helen Leonard is the Founder and Director of Administration of The Paragon School, which serves students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome. She holds a BS in Education from Vanderbilt University and a Masters in Education from Bank Street College, along with certification in Exceptional Student Education. Her advice to new entrepreneurs centers around commitment, asking questions, a positive outlook, and belief in yourself and the contributions of your business or organization.
1. How did you get started in interior design?
I became interested in interior design in elementary school—although I didn’t know it was ‘interior design’ at the time, I just knew that I loved redecorating my room on a fairly routine basis. In junior high I was fascinated with architecture and I used to design my own blueprints to turn in for math projects.
2. What made you decide to start your own business, rather than join an existing firm?
