You founded your firm in 1988. How has the industry changed?When I first started, we didnt have social media. You didnt have Pinterest; you didnt even have a computer. You had to train with somebody. Design is like an opera set: When the curtain lifts, [all the pieces] have to be there and be perfect, and thats a skill that you learn working for somebody else. You see the pitfalls, and you understand how to organize your business. So Im an advocate of that.What is the one piece of business advice you have for someone starting today?You need to understand how to run a business. Before you get that first client, consider: Do you really know how to organize the job? Do you know how to do estimates, how to price things? Whether you mentor with somebody or listen to courses, you need to have all of that in place.We often get questions from early-career designers in our business sessions asking how long it will take to get out of the red.Its challenging because youre managing deposits and timelines and paying your vendors. Even today, Im a salaried employee. I tell people all the time: The money in the bank of the company is not yours until the job is finished and all the bills are paid. If at the end of the year weve had a good year, we can pay ourselves a bonus.Williamss portfolio spans design aesthetics, while consistently being balanced, collected, and unfussy.Photo: Deborah Panes c/o Create AcademyYou have the Create Academy series, seven books, the home linewhats your next dream assignment for Bunny Williams Inc.?I always have so many things! I would love to see Bonny Williams Home develop into something that is bigger than it is now. I would love to see some retail stores, places where people can come in and get the feeling of design, not just a commercial brands point of view. Were working hard, in meetings now, about how we can have broader reach.This interview has been condensed and edited for brevity and clarity.APPLY NOWGrow your business with the AD PRO DirectoryArrow