Building Sandcastles, Interior Design Business Tips from a Day at the Beach

Have you ever thought about how building a sandcastle can teach us about interior design entrepreneurship? Just like sandcastles, interior design requires creativity, planning, and collaboration. Here's how you can apply these lessons to your business.

A few weeks ago, together with a bunch of friends, we rented a vacation home in the woods in Brabant. We were with a group of 27 in total, including 14 children, ranging in age from 2 to 9. This annual tradition is always a highlight, as the children love playing together and enjoy more freedom as they grow older.

The Start of A Grand Design

One afternoon, we spent together at a small lake with a bit of a beach. The kids had the idea of building a sandcastle. So, one of my friends started helping them. He built -sorry- just a simple pile of sand with a stone on top. 

Seeing this, I couldn't resist getting involved. I’ve always enjoyed building sandcastles with my two sons, so I joined him and we decided to create something more elaborate. My friend, who initiated the project, was happy I joined, so he was able to step back, which is his character - he loves starting things and letting others take over.

A Community Effort

As we worked on the sandcastle, more and more children began to join. There were kids from our group and even some we didn’t know. 

Every child wanted to contribute. 

I asked each of them what they were good at and how they wanted to help. One boy, about 10 years old, said he was great at building water drains and ditches. I encouraged him to create a waterway around an island we planned to build. He eagerly got to work, and soon we had a fully functioning moat.

Another child said she was great at building bridges, so she constructed a bridge over the waterway. We had kids who were excellent at finding decorative materials like sticks, stones, feathers, and leaves. These "collectors" brought back items to embellish our castle. It was amazing to see how each child found a role that matched their skills and interests.

Flexibility and Adaptation

Throughout the afternoon, our sandcastle project faced challenges. Waves from the lake occasionally threatened our work, but the children quickly adapted by building stronger walls and deeper moats. This flexibility and resilience were key to our success, reminding me of the importance of adaptability in business. In interior design, flexibility and adaptation are crucial as clients' needs and preferences can change.

The Pride of Accomplishment

After more than three hours of building, we ended up with an incredible sandcastle complex, about 10 by 10 meters, filled with islands, botanical gardens, princess towers, knight’s castles, and even a skeleton prince. 

Every time I thought we had done our best, new children joined with fresh ideas, taking our creation to the next level. The children's enthusiasm and imagination were boundless.

Key Interior Design Businesses Tips

Later, one of my friends, who was also at the beach, asked me what I had learned from this experience. She literally said: "So, Marc, what business lessons have you learnt by spending three hours building sandcastles?"

Here Are The Key Interior Design Business Tips I Told Her:

1. Start with a Strong Foundation: Like our initial sand pile, an idea starts with a solid base. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it needs to be a good base to grow from. In interior design, this means having a clear vision and a well-thought-out plan. For more on building a solid foundation in your design process, check out the Interior Impact Formula Program.
2. Embrace Teamwork: The sandcastle project thrived because everyone contributed their unique skills. In an interior design business, leveraging the strengths of your team members can lead to outstanding results. Each team member brings a unique perspective and skill set that can enhance the overall design project. Learn more about effective teamwork in interior design on our Beyond Interior Design Podcast.
3. Adapt to Challenges: Just as we adapted to the waves, businesses must be flexible and ready to handle unexpected obstacles. This is also a tip for interior design businesses, as your clients' needs and preferences change, and unforeseen challenges can arise. Being adaptable ensures you can meet these challenges effectively. Discover strategies for staying adaptable in the Stay in the Flow video series.
4. Celebrate Achievements: The pride the children felt in our finished sandcastle mirrored the satisfaction of achieving business goals. Celebrating (interior design) milestones, completed projects or designs, keeps the team and yourself motivated. Read about the importance of celebrating successes in our blog post on Boosting Your Interior Design Studio.
5. Let Experts Lead: I assigned tasks based on each child's strengths, which ensured that we achieved the best possible outcome. In business, letting people do what they do best leads to success. Give partners, contractors or team members the room to excel in areas they are good at, whether it's project management, creative design, decorating, taking measurements, detailing, or client communication. Find out how to leverage expertise effectively in the Interior Impact Mentorship Program.
6. Involve and Inspire: Our project drew in more and more participants and even an audience. Sharing your vision and progress can attract support and enthusiasm, both in sandcastles and in business. In the interior design industry, engaging clients and team members, including contractors, with inspiring ideas and transparent processes can lead to greater collaboration and success. For instance, our custom furniture builder comes up with great ideas or solutions every time we give him room to talk about his skills. Join the conversation with other professionals in our LinkedIn Community.

Our day at the lake was more than just fun; it was a reminder of the fundamental principles that drive both creative projects and successful interior design studios or even a business in general. So next time you’re at the beach or facing a business challenge, remember these interior design business tips and apply them to your journey.

Next time you're at the beach or working on a project, remember these tips. They can transform your approach to interior design and help you build a more successful interior design business.

Inspired by these insights? Share your own experiences and tips in the comments or on social media! Let's learn and grow together.