In spite of her father’s advice, Lucia Van Gerwin found her way into interior decorating early in her career. She is has been the Managing Director of More Than Curtains, an interior decorating business selling quality window coverings, for over 20 years.
What kind of family environment did you grow up in?
Very strict Catholic family with authoritarian Dutch dad. I am the eldest of three girls and was expected to set the example and assume responsibility for the other two. High academic achievement was also expected. My dad was disappointed when I became an interior decorator.
What were the early days like trying to break into the industry?
Fortunately I was working in a paint shop that already had an established decorating clientele.
What kept you going when times were tough financially?
I have sold stuff on eBay. Sold stuff through party plans, worked as an assistant to a home stylist, etc
What ‘normal’ jobs have you done?
I worked in three Grace Bros stores in my youth. In the mid 1980s I was a primary teacher. I also had a job in 2008 as a PA to a real estate agent
Were you ever tempted to get a ‘real job’?
Except out of necessity, NO! I prefer to be my own boss.
Do you see your life as a balance between ‘life’ and ‘work’, or are they well blended?
I’d say well-blended, but it has taken years to get the balance. I used to always put work first, but now my health and family are priorities.
How do you balance ‘life’ with ‘work’ from a time point of view? What routines do you have?
I am a very effective time manager. As an early riser, I find I am able to complete my paperwork before 9am so I am ready for whatever the day brings. My business can be very unpredictable, so I need to be ready for action!
What do you see as the essentials for a happy existence?
For myself, I must be able to have privacy at times to reflect and contemplate. I need to be able to socialise regularly and have a good laugh. My relationship with my daughter (aged 22) has reached the point where we can go out for coffee or dinner and sometimes we socialise in each other’s circle of friends. Finally, I absolutely must have dogs. Currently I have Rambo the Golden Retriever and Xena the Lab…gorgeous!!!
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?
Last year was the first since 1989 that I used any form of advertising. I sell luxury items and the GFC (God forbid I use the term!!) saw a huge drop in people buying curtains, not just from me but across the board. A number of my colleagues are now doing other things, having lost their decorating businesses! Getting new customers is always a challenge. Also there has been a big influx of inferior product from China. As these products meet a price expectation, they are selling like hotcakes to the budget conscious Sydney market. I will only sell high performing product that I can give a warranty for, but price seems to win out many times. Very frustrating!
How many hours do you work in a typical working day and do you work weekends?
I work every Saturday because I prefer to see my working clients then rather than after hours. Daylight hours are always better for seeing colours. Typically I seem to work 8 hours plus most days but of course close to Christmas this can increase to 16+ hours per day!
Can you describe a typical day?
Every day is different. I might be seeing somewhere between one and three clients, writing up worksheets, visiting the workroom, placing orders, talking to reps or suppliers, networking with other designers or potential clients, or purchasing.
What qualities do you respect and value in people you work with? Why are these qualities important to you?
Because of my upbringing, I have set the bar quite high. I respect honesty and integrity in all dealings, approachability and empathy. Number one priority is punctuality…always be on time or call if you’re running late.
What do you do in your spare time?
Eat too much! I like go read historical nonfiction and biographies.
Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?
I am inspired by Maggie Tabberer. I think she is a class act and certainly a female ahead of her time and still going strong in her 70s!! She has been unlucky in love, but still has the support of her gorgeous daughters, oversees a multinational business, hosts TV shows and was the first plus size role model for women!!
Name your three favorite websites – the ones you visit regularly?
www.propertyupdate.com.au; www.warwick.com.au; www.morethancurtains.com.au
Do you Twitter? Do you Blog?
Well I have both but need to use them more. Twitter eludes me a bit.
If you were able to invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why?
First: Jesus: great stories and we would never run out of wine!!
Second: John Cleese: I would laugh so much I wouldn’t eat (which is probably a good thing!!)
Third: Gerard Butler: major hunk and about to explode in Hollywood. He has a Scottish accent too, which I adore
Do you have a favorite saying? If so, what is it?
“Let’s go, Malvolio” (don’t ask)
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I quite like Wonder Woman’s truth rope.
What is the biggest challenge to young people today?
Finding a direction and purpose in life.
Do you remember the exact moment you decided to work from home?
No, it was an evolving type of thing
What has your biggest challenge been?
Fitting out 11 display homes with window coverings and bedspreads when the due date was brought forward a month!
Your biggest achievement? Your proudest moment?
Giving birth to my only child (Elise) at 12:02am on 1st January 1988. She became Australia’s Bicentennial baby! Can’t beat that!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Work from home (best friend)
The worst?
Don’t become a decorator (Dad)
What would you spend your very last $10 on?
Coffee and cake!
With one week to live, what would you do?
Have a huge ’70s disco party and invite everyone I know!
If you ruled the world, what would be the first law you put into place?
Love one another
What makes you laugh?
Anything Monty Python. A lot of things make me laugh. I love to laugh
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
Don’t study so hard
What are your pet hates?
Dishonesty and being late
How would you describe yourself in a personal ad?
Personable, intelligent, talkative, loves dogs, interested in history and travelling, punctual, honest
Leah Gibbs is the Founder and Business Manager of Lifestyle Careers.
Lifestyle Careers is an online recruitment job board. Our niche and specific focus is the advertising of flexible employment and work at home positions. It is designed for professionals wanting to balance their work and personal life.
