LiveWorld Transcripts

Women.com presents

Entrepreneur, Michelle Golding
Running your own business

August 2, 2000

Entrepreneur, Michelle Golding, talks with us today about how she started her own interior design company, The Princess and the Pea.

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Women.com: Hello, and welcome to our chat with Michelle Golding, entrepreneur, interior designer, and owner of the "The Princess and the Pea."

Sunrex: What gave you the idea to name your store, "Princess and The Pea?"

MichelleGolding: I use the princess and the pea as an example of great luxury. As you know, the story tells you of a princess whose criteria is so high that she is sensitive enough to tell when a pea is placed underneath a great stack of mattresses. This idea makes you realize how fine detail, such as dressmaker covered buttons and tailoring details, become great luxuries in interior pieces where they have not used before.

Kyres: How did you decide on bedding as your product? What were your influences for this decision?

MichelleGolding: My background is 20 years of fashion design. I chose to use that experience to give new life to an area that I felt could use the touch of fashion, since fashion and home have become synonymous with today's living. My product line is not exclusively bedding. It includes lampshades, as if they are fine hats, and window covering that gives you the appearance of art, as well as cashmere throws that marry vintage fabric.

Shauna: Was your business an instant success? If not, how did you keep your vision and focus without losing heart?

MichelleGolding: I have 20 years and more being an entrepreneur. I started as a kid of 10 placing baby-sitting tags on neighbors' doors. So nothing you do is an overnight success. None of the stories that you will hear of entrepreneurs happened overnight. We all have had visions and, along the path, those visions often take different turns, usually for the better. But if you believe in what you see and pursue it long enough, you will see the results of your pursuit. More importantly, remember that being an entrepreneur is a spirit.

Elshya: Do you have a web page where people can shop online? If not, do you consider e-business too risky?

MichelleGolding: I do not have one, presently, and I don't consider it risky. I consider it the future, because, at this time, my product is so custom driven that I am still working in a product in vehicle that is more accessible by the web.

Sternchen: I want to do something creative with my fireplace mantel in my bedroom without spending a lot of money. Can I paint the gray stone surround?

MichelleGolding: It can be painted, but I would suggest finding the appropriate art for your gray stone mantel, because a gray stone mantel sounds beautiful. It will compliment many pieces of art, which I think would be a better focus, leaving the mantel as the framework to compliment your art.

NeoNion: How do I make a small room appear larger?

MichelleGolding: The best approach is to choose scale down pieces in order to give the impression a size. The only large piece of drama I would suggest is a large mirror, and for a fresh look, instead of hanging it, I would lean it against one of your walls or anchor the top part and leaving the bottom resting on your floor. Light colors to, again, leave the impression of size.

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