Tell us your name and a little about yourself.
My name is Eric Dillman, and I am 25 years old. I am from Cranberry Township, Pa, which is about 25 minutes north of the city of Pittsburgh. I currently live in Seven Fields, PA, with my Golden Retriever Nala. I have a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I graduated in the spring of 2017 and got my first job at my Senior Portfolio show in April of that year. Ever since then, I have worked in the industry and have been building my brand. I started my Instagram page for my business back in January of 2018, and it has grown from there. I am a huge fan of HGTV, Real Estate, Construction, Working Out, and Country Music. When I am not working, I am usually spending time with family and friends or Country Concerts.
What exactly does your company do?
I am an Interior Designer, which means I go into client’s homes and design new layouts to remodel their spaces. I specialize in Kitchen and Bath design but really can design any parts of the interior of the home. Interior Design has to do with more of the floor plan and the look and function of the space. I am not decorating people’s homes or picking out paint colors, but I will do that because I believe I have a good eye for it, but that’s not what we learned in school.
I start by going into client’s homes and seeing the space where they want to remodel. I take measurements and start to design the project to their liking and make it more functional for them. I bring them into a showroom after that to go over the design and pick out all the fun finishes and materials for the project. After this, it’s a lot of paper to make sure the contractor knows exactly what is going into the project and understands the vision. I stick with the client until the project is complete finished to make sure they are always taken care of and happy with the finished product. Nothing beats the feeling of happy customers, telling you how much they love their new space.
What were the biggest challenges you have faced, and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenges were trying to fight the age and experience criticism I got from other coworkers and clients. This really affected my confidence in the job, and it showed. After talking to other people in the industry that truly cared about my success and saw in me stuff I didn’t, I started to gain the confidence I needed to be successful. A lot of people compare their success and their life to others, and I did the same thing. Once I let go of that, I started to see my business start to pick up. I think the age criticism got to me the most. The experience I got because I was just starting out and really dint have any. That will change over time, but age has nothing to do with your success. Age is just a number, and there are so many people out there that become successful at a very young age. Never let age come between you and your success.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?
One piece of advice I wish someone had given me at the start of my career would be, “it won’t always be like this.” Meaning the beginning is always hard, but it won’t always be this hard. Something that might have taken me a week to get done, I could later get done in an hour. You learn you adapt, you grow and get better. Always remember your struggle and see how far you come. Those struggles make you into who you are today and make you a better person. I truly believe everything that happens in life has something positive to come from it. It might really be hard to see during those dark periods of your life, but this is how we grow. Look back at any successful person; they always have a dark spot in their life that they grew from. Keep working hard and don’t give up on your dreams. Never give up hope, because when you do, that’s when it all starts to come apart. If you truly want something, you will make it happen.
Who are your biggest influences and people you admire, and why?
My biggest influences are Chip and Joanna Gaines. Who doesn’t like them? They are very humble people who spread love and joy around the world every day.
The Empire they have built is another thing that I strive to have one day. It amazing to see what they built so quickly. From television shows to their home decor line. They are doing what they love, and it truly shows. People seem to gravitate towards people like this. People enjoy others who are uplifting and spreading love. If I could have just a little bit of the success and the impact they make in people’s lives, I would be a very happy man.
They are both in the same industry like myself, so they are also my business inspiration. I have been designing my houses since I was very little. Taking every class, I could in high school that had to do with it and then eventually going to school for it. I have always dreamed of having my own show like theirs when I can show the world what I do for a living and help other inspiring Interior Designers as Chip and Jo did for myself.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
I know I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today if it wasn’t for both of my parents. I went through some big health issues during my college career, and I know if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have recovered the way I did, or gotten into the right doctors if it wasn’t for them. My biggest surgery was at the end of my senior year in Los Angeles, which they both came with me. That trip wouldn’t have been successful if they weren’t both there. I was 22 at the time, so they could have easily stayed home and let me go alone, but that never crossed their minds.
They have always been there through my struggles with starting my career and fighting the early criticism I got. They’re always there to cheer me on, and I am so thankful.
What do you see as your greatest success in life?
My greatest success in life would be all the relationships that I have built. I love making an impact on people’s lives and being there for them. Making sure I am always reaching out to make sure everyone is doing well, or they need any help with anything. This caring trait I got from both of my parents, and I am so happy I got it. It has helped me build so many relationships in my personal life and business life.
I get so many messages a week from followers that love what I put out or appreciate the comments or the help I have given them. Helping people achieve their dreams is also just such a huge achievement for me. It doesn’t always have to do with business either, really anything. That is why I do what I do. I love helping people.
How can people follow your journey? Please list your social media URLs
Social Media is a huge part of my success. I am very active on my Instagram account. If you ever need advice or would like to start a project, please feel free to email me on my email link or direct message me at anytime.
My Instagram is:@ericdillmandesigns
Facebook is also another way to follow me.
My Facebook is: Eric Dillman Designs
