it started out with a text message from my aunt and a prospective client. the next thing i knew, i was standing next to the client, talking and getting the 'taste' of how is it like to be in the actual jobsite.
No. it was way too far from having my own interior design. not now. not yet. but already, i felt like i was already doing my very first project. well, that was how it felt.
First off, you wake up early. dress well before you go. check yourself on the mirror. one final look to make sure you are presentable or you're gonna lose that client even before the very first talk.
and so off you go. and when you finally meet her, be professional and friendly at the same time. warm enough to earn her trust but professional enough to stand your ground. somewhat making an impression that you are there to do business in case she missed the part that you're gonna lay out a proposal any time.
it was a 200-square-meter would-be culinary arts training center cum resto-bar on the second floor of an arcade building at the corner of Tandang Sora and Commonwealth in Quezon City. perfect location at that.
i got warm greetings from the two chefs and a beso-beso from the owner. so there. trust was established. then the talk went on naturally. just like meeting a new friend or a new classmate.
and next came the chef's design idea, making sure every detail was absorbed by the would-be designer. but reality check, i wasn't going to be the designer. funny, huh? not at all. 'cause it was like an apprentice on my part. a classmate of mine would be doing the actual design and i get at least 30 percent of the pay plus the on-the-job training from them. clever, don't you think?
the next day, i was back to the place, with my classmate and her boyfriend in tow. there we were talking to the client like real pros. i mean, that was how it felt haha.
i had another appointment earlier. one thing i had to forego in exchange for a dream of a lifetime. i mean, this is gonna be the stepping stone of a dream career. yeah, yeah. i know. i can't do without my writing job. it is what sends me to interior design school, right? but no worries. i take every minute of it seriously. yeah. seriously. i better love what i have now so i can have that job i have been dreaming about...soon.
but going back. the client was nice and all that. but some of her staff members, i mean the people she chose to employ for her culinary arts training center, were there, too, driving a hard bargain. that's what you call haggling, folks.
so the talk that was supposed to last an hour took us at least 2 and half an hour later with just the 3D plan. uh-oh. at least the owner agreed to look at a proposal and things will start from there.
so there. after some more talking, we left chocolate kiss at UP Bahay ng Alumni a little bit satisfied. but we're gonna be back to the site tomorrow in the afternoon. and this time, the actual measuring will take place.
now, what can i say? well, i'm getting the hang of it :))
