Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Mackintosh and Nicole Noonan.
Morgan and Nicole, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Our business idea began while living in our first apartment in Amherst, MA while studying Communication and Studio Art at Umass Amherst. We were looking for a creative outlet to supplement our studies so we started a blog called Macanoon Designs as a hobby. We would post everything from our latest DIY’s in our apartment, to our finds at Brimfield, the local antique show. We fell in love with everything about the design world and we quickly made a pact to get jobs and internships in the interior design industry so we could learn as much as possible. We spent months dreaming up the possibilities of where our blog could go, and what it would mean to form this friendship and passion for design into a business. We thought big, and that is what gave us the courage to take a leap of faith after graduation. Upon graduation, Nicole stared her Master’s Degree at Endicott College for Interior Architecture and Morgan went head first into the prop styling world, both of us getting our hands on everything we could in all aspects of the industry. These connections we built quickly spiraled into clients, and clients spiraled into more clients. We were lucky to be blessed with as many projects as we did, and we quickly had to make the commitment to jump right in. It was our passion and love for design that made it possible. Currently we still both work other jobs, and handle our business nights, weekends, and any other moment in between. We are quickly approaching taking on the business full time, but enjoy the ability to continue meeting new people and forming connections while we can in our other positions.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We are firm believers that there is no such thing as a smooth road when starting a business. There are so many things you are forced to do and figure out that are all new, you’re bound to make mistakes. It makes it easier being in a business you love with a best friend, and being able to pull each other out of any issues that arise- that is what has helped us grow the most. Having your best friend and business partner by your side pushes you to continue persevering and reminding each other that this is just another lesson to learn. We didn’t believe those who told us not to go into business with your best friend- because it turned out to be our strength.
One of the biggest challenges that we face today is our age. Having started our business last year at the age of 22, and being only a year into it, people are often taken aback by our age. We are a lot younger than many others working in our field, and for some it is unexpected when we show up to meet a new client. We walk onto a project site having to work a little harder to prove that we know what we are talking about and that we have enough experience under our belt. But we have found that once we establish that trust with the client and other contractors only good things follow, and our age quickly becomes an advantage.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Beige and Bleu Design Studio is an Interior design firm, specializing in residential/commercial design and interior styling. We work on all sorts of projects and offer many different services from space planning and renovations, to picking finishes and furnishing spaces. Unlike other design firms we are armed with two partners. This allows us to work fast and bounce ideas off of each other to come up with even better designs- we are firm believers that two heads is always better than one. We are most proud of how far we have come in just a year. Our business has grown more than we could have imagined and we’ve conquered many goals we didn’t see coming for a few more years. Our biggest advantage right now is making spaces that are comfortable and functional, and budget friendly, but still well designed- this is what has given us much success so far.
What were you like growing up?
Morgan- Looking back at my childhood it makes sense as to how I ended up in the design world. I was always rearranging my bedroom and trying to come up with different decor themes. Then there was the year that all I wanted for my birthday was a label maker so that I could “properly” redo and organize my parents linen closet… that was the gift that just kept giving. To this day being detail orientated is one of my strongest skill sets. Details really help drive a design and make a space come together. It’s all about those details!
As a little girl I was always drawn to leadership positions and I think ultimately that’s what led me to an entrepreneurial life, that and the fact that I don’t fit into that 9-5 mind-set. I have given myself the luxury of being able to work when I’m inspired.
Nicole- From a very young age, I knew I would end up somewhere in this industry. It probably had something to do with my contractor dad bringing me up on the roof of his construction projects at age 4, or the manila folders filled with clippings of furniture pieces from magazines that I would present to my mom as how I was going to redo my room for the 6th time that year. I had always been fascinated with art and design. But my little self-thought it was a hobby- because I wanted to be an anesthesiologist for my “real job”. It could have been the barbies that did it too. I would spend hours making their homes out of all the plastic furniture I had accumulated, and only about 5 minutes actually playing with the Barbies themselves. I realized at a young age- probably my first three business ventures- a grilled cheese stand, a babysitting business, and a tie dying business- that I was meant for the entrepreneurial life, and I haven’t turned back since.
Contact Info:
- Website: beigeandbleu.com
- Email: morgan@beigeandbleu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beige_and_bleu/
Image Credit:
Emily Leis
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