A Dialogue with Marcus Syvertsen
From Paramedic to Design Studio
Episode 87
In this week’s episode I am chatting with Marcus Syvertsen from Little Road in Adelaide. His unique journey from paramedic to award-winning interior designer offers valuable insights about career transitions, building a successful design studio, and the power of transferable skills.
I hope you enjoy the episode
Beth xx
Why This Conversation Matters
Career changes in interior design are common, but Marcus's story demonstrates how previous experience - even from seemingly unrelated fields - can become your biggest asset. His journey from emergency services to running a team of five offers valuable lessons about business growth, leadership, and systems development.
Key Insights Explored
How paramedic skills translate to interior design
Growing from solo practice to leading a team
Why hiring a studio manager transformed the business
Managing projects across multiple states
Building a design business outside major cities
Building Strong Foundations
Marcus shares practical insights about:
Documenting daily processes
Creating consistent client experiences
Managing supplier relationships
Developing team structures
Implementing effective systems
The Power of Outsourcing
"Outsource whenever possible. If you don't have that skill and it feels overwhelming to delve in and learn it, then outsource." While acknowledging this isn't always possible when starting out, Marcus emphasizes the importance of knowing when to bring in expertise - particularly in areas like accounting and bookkeeping.
Growing Your Team
Learn about:
When to hire a studio manager
How to delegate effectively
Building team communication
Creating consistent processes
Managing interstate projects
Expert Insight
"Problem solving, thinking on your feet, managing stressful situations... but probably the main one is communication and adapting that to different personalities. As you know, our clients can be very different, different backgrounds, professions, expectations."
Perfect For Interior Designers Who:
Are considering a career change
Want to grow their team
Need better systems and processes
Work in regional areas
Are ready to scale their business