We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Hanrahan Doak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Everything happens for a reason! In a world that seems to constantly throw you curveballs, it’s somewhat necessary to remain positive and optimistic. It’s our duty to make the most of our days on this earth and no matter what the circumstance may be, find something good in everything. This can apply to all facets of life – personal and professional. It’s a reminder to me that behind any frustration or fear will always be a positive light. It’s just a matter of how you maintain composure as you work through the darkness.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hello Kitchen was founded in 2009 by a local Architect named Cindy Black. In October of 2018, when I acquired the business and took over as the new owner, I had big shoes to fill. I set my bar high and started out with big goals. The first challenge of starting as the new owner of a pre-existing business was to respect the processes and everything put into place, but at the same time give the company a fresh look and feel – complementing the modern market. The second (and only other) challenge has been taking a brilliant concept and fine-tuning it into a process that can be applied to the masses. Every kitchen is different and every client’s needs vary. Working to find step-by-step processes that work for everyone have been something we continue to work towards. The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is to delegate! Even if I want to do everything, I just can’t so it’s best to hire experts in their fields and delegate the workload. Hello Kitchen proudly sets ourselves aside from your average interior design firm. Hello Kitchen offers a unique and specialized approach to interior design services, operating primarily off flat rate design fees, keeping things simple and transparent. Our goal is to help our homeowners detail out their designs in an organized and budgeted manner so their dream space can come to fruition without breaking their bank. Hello Kitchen works with our client’s in a very collaborative process to think through the designs of their space(s) while selecting and budgeting materials that work for their needs both aesthetically and functionally. We provide a final deliverable – the Recipe for Renovation – which details out all aspects of the design, including all technical drawings, renderings, materials specs, and more. Lastly, we want to connect our homeowners to the resources and referrals they will need to complete the construction phases of their project. We want your remodel to be as simple and smooth as possible!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend to all the swimming holes within an hour radius of Austin! We’d eat tacos all week and hope to hear some live country music at a venue on the south side of town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a shout out to so many individuals, but the two that stand out specifically are Lilianne Steckel and Zach House. My design career started at a local Austin showroom, that was owned by Zach House. After six and a half years of working for him, I was taught so much invaluable knowledge about this industry that I would have never learned anywhere else. The experience I gained working in a design showroom introduced me to the building side of the design field, which is ultimately where I found my passion in design. When that local showroom closed their doors, I went to work for Lilianne Steckel Interior Design. This introduced me to a completely different side of design, working on residential and commercial projects of all scale. Working for Lily was an amazing opportunity that taught me how to push the standards, be confident in the creative process, and most importantly – how to run a business on my own. Without the guidance of these two, now friends, I would have never made it to where I am today!

Website: www.hellokitchen.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello__kitchen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hello-Kitchen-231127987753282/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/hello_kitchen/

Image Credits
Avery Nicole Photography and Sarah Natsumi Moore

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