Interior designer Miranda Timms discovered a new way to find clients after attending a BASE Bordon workshop. With a budget of around £30, she sent 60 personalised letters, received nine responses and secured an ongoing client.
The phone call she wasn’t expecting
Shortly after sending her first batch of letters, Miranda received a call from a local interior design studio. They needed additional support and wanted to know if she could come in for a meeting the following day.
She did. By the end of that week, she was working with them on a major residential project.
“I was shocked that someone had actually looked at it and read it and been on my website,” Miranda recalled.
The opportunity came at exactly the right time. The studio needed additional expertise while a team member was away, and Miranda had the skills to step in.
Finding a clearer direction
Through her business, Created by Miranda, Miranda provides freelance interior design support to studios, from technical detailing to furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and procurement.
Before attending the workshop, she had relied on around three regular clients. Finding additional work outside that network was difficult.
She had started developing her website and exploring ways to attract new customers, but wasn’t sure where to focus.
A business growth workshop at BASE Bordon Innovation Centre helped her look at things differently.
Rather than trying to attract private clients directly, Miranda recognised an opportunity to build on what she already did best: helping established design studios deliver projects when they needed additional expertise.
The workshop’s practical exercises and conversations with other business owners gave her fresh perspectives and the confidence to take action.
Turning an idea into new business
One approach Miranda learned about at the workshop particularly resonated with her: reaching potential clients through personalised letters.
She had previously tried contacting businesses by email, but received little response. As she explained, it’s easy for messages to get buried in a busy inbox.
So she decided to try something different.
Miranda researched local interior design studios, architects and kitchen businesses, identified relevant contacts and prepared a printed letter explaining how she could help.
She personally addressed the envelopes to make them stand out from the usual post.
Between February and August, Miranda sent 60 letters in three batches of 20, spending around £30.
The results:
- Nine responses, a 15% response rate
- One new ongoing client, with work starting within days of receiving her letter
- Eight additional business contacts, with conversations continuing
She achieved these results without sending a single follow-up.
The new client relationship has since developed into regular work, including support on a major eight-bedroom residential project and additional planning activities.
Miranda’s one-page letter. A simple, personalised introduction helped open conversations with 9 local businesses and land a new ongoing client.
Confidence to take the next step
For Miranda, the workshop’s impact extended beyond one successful campaign.
It helped her clarify her business direction, become more confident approaching potential clients and develop a practical method she could use again.
“It gave me a direction and it gave me a confidence,” she said.
Now she’s planning another round of outreach, building on the relationships already established and targeting new studios.
Find your next opportunity at BASE Bordon
BASE Bordon Innovation Centre offers practical business workshops, networking events and one-to-one business support to help local businesses develop new skills, find customers and explore opportunities for growth.
Whether you’re looking to attract new clients or rethink your approach to business development, we’re here to help.
Explore our upcoming events or speak to the BASE Bordon team about business support.