Exploring Life & Business with Elizabeth Rishel of Orion Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Rishel.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Wyoming and Nebraska. For as long as I can remember I was interested in interior design. So, when it was time to get my degree, I pursued an Interior Design degree with the University of Nebraska Kearney. With that and a few design awards under my belt, I headed out east and took a job at a kitchen and bath showroom in Boston. I spent five years there honing my skills and having the time of my life! I was also able to do some teaching at the Boston Architectural College and the New England School of Art and Design.

After those five years, I decided to head back to the Midwest to be closer to family. Kansas City was the perfect place!

I accepted a position at a well-respected design-build firm and was able to gain a wealth of knowledge about the remodeling industry. It was not long after joining them that things with the economy were changing and it was clear that my position there was questionable. This was in 2009. With few options and the confidence of my loved ones and supportive past clients, I decided to start my own business. I would joke that there was no time like a recession to start a luxury design business! Turns out, it was a great time to do just that!

Orion Design was unique in that I didn’t sell a product and I wasn’t tethered to a specific contractor. I was able to work with the materials and finishes as well as the contractor that would best serve my clients. I have not looked back and my business has continued to flourish. With the growth of Orion Design, it has become the absolute joy of my career to assemble a team of incredibly talented and bright women. We thrive on creating client-focused designs that are a reflection of the family and home that they serve.

When I’m not working away I am home with my husband Phil and our two little kiddos. We are always in the middle of a home improvement project and I love to spend time working on my shade garden.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road but it is the various challenges that have made me the business owner that I am today.

In the design industry, you often work for small businesses and the various personalities that come along with that. I was also able to work in sales at the start of my career and saw that side of our industry. Even though I did well with sales I didn’t really enjoy it.

In my business, I have been incredibly lucky to have had a relatively smooth path. I keep things simple. Do good work and honor your commitments. A challenge in the past few years has been a good one to have. I was receiving too many inquiries for work. This was overwhelming but instead of saying no I looked for help. Over the past three years, I have expanded from just a little old me to a team of four of us! This has been an incredible challenge but also the most rewarding thing I have ever done! I pinch myself every day that I get to work with this group!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Orion Design is an interior design firm. In our residential practice, we assist in the designs needed for both remodelings as well as new builds. For remodeling, this may consist of a Kitchen or Bathroom project but we also do a fair amount of whole house projects. We start with the schematic phase to make sure that the function of the home is working and then we dive into the details.

We use drafting software to prepare all the necessary build documentation for the contractors and work for hand in hand with our clients to select the various finishes and materials needed to make sure their project is a success. We also do a fair amount of commercial work. This can consist of a refresh of office space and often happens when our clients outgrow their work environments. We have also designed a handful of showrooms for vendors in our industry. Our passion is making sure that the spaces we design work effortlessly for our clients and their needs. Once we have a plan that will work we make it stunning!

What makes us a bit unique in our industry is that we don’t sell any product. We just charge for the time that is needed to get the job done. I love that we are never motivated by the cost of a project and that we are free to find the best materials and finishes for our clients. If we need to be thrifty we certainly can, and frankly, love the challenge.

We also have clients that want something that will set their space apart from the rest. This is also a welcome challenge. For the most part, our clients just want their homes to feel effortless and for them to be a reflection of themselves. We love this!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
In my journey, I have learned that every difficult moment passes and only makes you stronger. What may feel overwhelming at the moment will fade over time. I have also learned to take risks because you may stumble but in getting up and dusting yourself off you learn so much and it adds to the joy of your successes.

Contact Info:

• Website:  www.DesignbyOrion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oriondesigninc/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oriondesigninc/

Image Credits
Robbin Loomas and Bob Greenspan of 8183 Productions