QA with Kelly Hoppen MBE, Interior Designer

QA with Kelly Hoppen MBE, Interior Designer QA with Kelly Hoppen MBE, Interior Designer Image Source: Kelly Hoppen InteriorsInterior designer Kelly Hoppen was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to interior design. As an idea of these  services, her influence is best explained by saying that  that even those who believe they’re  unaware of it, actually  are, but don’t realise it.“The most important advice is to never listen to negativity!”The South Africa-born London-based designer’s signature visual style â€" Eastern-influenced balance  and harmony in a  predominantly muted beige/taupe  palette, with contrasting textures and finishes  (including ceramics and pebbles) â€" has influenced interior design across the globe.Chances are, if you’re sitting in a building developed or refurbished any time after the mid-1990s, Kelly Hoppen’s ideas have either partially or wholly helped to inform its interior design.High-profile TV  appearancesâ€"she was a ‘Dragon’ on BBC Two’s Dragon’s Den for three seasons from 2013-20 15; hosted her own UK Channel 5 programme,  Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen; and has guested on a host of talk shows and panel shows over  the past decadeâ€"have helped to  make Kelly Hoppen a  household name.But her true passion is interior design and business, which you can sample on  her website, Kelly Hoppen Interiors. Having started at the age of 16  by designing the kitchen of a family friend, she spent the next two decades refining her signature style, which significantly spiked worldwide after the 1997 publication of her first book, East Meets West: Global Design for Contemporary Interiors.Image Source: Kelly Hoppen InteriorsShe has famously designed for a diverse range of A-List celebrity and business  projects and clientele, including Victoria and David Beckham; actor Martin Shaw;  Pearl Motor Yachts; the  LUX* Belle Mare hotel resort in Mauritius; restaurateur  Gary Rhodes; British Airways; The Royal Mougins Golf Club, France; and Barcelona’s Murmuri Hotel.Publishi ng remains  very much part of the Kelly Hoppen empire.  She has written eight best-selling interior design books. Her latest is  House of Hoppen: A Retrospective, a career overview that’s packed  with previously unseen imagery and letters from her  personal and professional archives.Image Source: Kelly Hoppen InteriorsKelly Hoppen is a multi-award winning business  inspiration. Accepting the MBE in 2009, she has also  worked with  UK Trade Investment, on advising and mentoring small businesses.Kelly  took some time out of her busy schedule to speak to AGENT about how she got started in business, her  most significant challenges and accomplishments, her morning routine, and advice for young entrepreneurs starting up in business today. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 10 Questions for  Kelly Hoppen (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1.  Briefly tell us how you first  got into business, and describe your business goals.For as long as I can remembe r I have loved design! I was always redesigning my bedroom as a child, and would drag my mother along to showhomes at the weekends, to see how other people had decorated. When I was 16, I was asked to design the kitchen of a family friend and that’s where it all began. My business goals are pretty simple: to continue doing what I love for as long as I can.2. What age were you when you realised you wanted to run your own business?As soon as I got my first job at 16, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I was born to be a designer, and running my own business just felt right. You need to have the passion and a real love for what you do to run a business, and I’m nothing if not passionate about design. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 3.  Who are your business icons and inspirations?I think anyone who  works hard for what they love is incredibly inspirational. I’ve never really had a mentor; I learn by my own trial and error.  But if I’m totally honest, my mother has had a huge influence on me in terms of running a business. She has always been successful in business and I still to this day go to her for advice. I’m also inspired every day by my team, my friends and my family.4.  What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you surmount it?A few years ago, I was asked to design the first class cabin for British Airways. That was a big challenge as it was a completely new type of interior that I’d never worked in before. I learned that when faced with a challenge like this, it just needed more in-depth research and a focus on relationship-building with the client. I set goals for myself, and no matter how challenging something is, I will always work as hard as possible to achieve something I am passionate about. As I always say: nothing’s too big and nothing’s ever big enough. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 5.  Work-Life balance: is it possible? How do you achieve it?Yes it’s possible, a nd it’s incredibly important. I’ve always tried to keep a balance between my work and home life. I use the weekend as time to unwind and relax with my loved ones. It means I go into a new week feeling refreshed and ready for new challenges. I am constantly trying to stay ahead of the curve, so I need my home to be a sanctuary to escape to after a long day.Image Source: Kelly Hoppen Interiors6. What is the first thing you do every day?I get up and head straight to the kitchen to drink a glass of hot water lemon. After that I will get back into bed for an hour with a cup of coffee to watch Piers Morgan and  Susannah Reid on Good Morning Britain, then I will head out to the gym. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 7. What screen saver picture is currently on your phone?My lock screen is my daughter’s wedding flowers, just because it was just such a happy memory to relive every single day. And my screen background is my partner John!8. What is the most important a pp on your mobile phone, and why?I have three. Dropbox, because I can work on the go… Get Taxi App, because I am pro Black Cabbies! and  Snapchat, which is my new favourite to play with. It’s so entertaining… (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 9.   What item do you never leave the house without, and why?My phone! It’s how I stay in touch with my team, clients and family. Without it I would definitely feel disconnected and a little lost. Also my glasses, because those are key, and my Victoria Beckham Lip Gloss!.10. What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in business?Never stop believing in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself and your ideas then no one else will. Also, remember that you can never learn too much.  Always be open to advice and ideas from others who  have walked the path before you.  You never know what mistakes or challenges their knowledge may help you to avoid. The most important advice, though, is to never listen to negativity!Image Source:  ukTI / Kelly Hoppen Interiors