Hart-Davidson Designs Finds Success Through Mentoring Others

OKEMOS, Mich., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan-based small business owner, Leslie Hart-Davidson, founder and CEO of Hart-Davidson Designs (HDD) lives by three key components to keep her interior design business growing and successful: community, design, and mentoring. Hart-Davidson, Allied Member ASID, has her own business philosophy called "democratic design" that sets her apart from the rest. "A democratic designer is one that listens to the needs of their client and their community and addresses it without dictating," says Hart-Davidson. That philosophy offers a fantastic opportunity for mentoring students, and, more specifically, young women.

The idea of mentoring young women came from Hart-Davidson's fond memories of her mother. "I watched my mother mentor other young women at work, and her kindness and respect for those talented students was very influential in my decision to mentor students when I started my own business," said Hart-Davidson. "Without that strong female presence and the mentoring I received from my mother and other strong women in my life, I may not have been able to attain the success that I have today. I am a first generation college graduate and am now paying that forward by mentoring students in my community. I'm also teaching other businesses the importance of mentoring and how it helps their business."

Hart-Davidson Designs' internship program through Michigan State University began in the spring of 2007 with one design student intern working with Hart-Davidson out of her living room. Today, the program has multiple interns in design, business, marketing and technology, all working in the HDD office in Okemos, Mich. The interns are given real-world opportunities to work directly with clients and to do hands-on work for paying projects. "These young women are empowered and contributing members of the HDD design team," according to Leslie. "Once they are given the opportunity to see how much potential they have, they raise the standard for themselves and continue to achieve the highest level of success. It's a privilege to mentor young women and see them grow." Hart-Davidson holds special events for the interns each year, such as the Dragonfly Dinner, where interns are served Thanksgiving dinner while their accomplishments at HDD are honored and celebrated.

About Hart-Davidson Designs

Hart-Davidson Designs (www.designisademocracy.com) began as a part-time venture in 2001, with Leslie Hart-Davidson (Allied Member ASID) creating custom window treatments and bedding for her design clients in New York.  HDD now serves both do-it-yourselfers and concierge-level clients by offering a full suite of design services including floor plan creation, color selection and furniture arrangement and full-service remodeling.  HDD is thriving in Michigan thanks to a dedication to client relations, a responsibility to philanthropic contribution, active involvement in community education, a partnership with Michigan State University and their academic internship program, and a tremendous collaboration with dedicated subcontractors.  "Design is a democracy, not a dictatorship."

SOURCE Hart-Davidson Designs