Last month I spent an amazing three weeks in Hawai‘i with my family through a home exchange. Through luck and kismet, a family with a house in the small town of Honoka‘a reached out to us on homeexchange.com because they were specifically looking to spend the summer in our town of Evergreen, CO.
It takes a big leap to trust strangers enough to let them stay in your home and use all of your things—even your car!—while you are an ocean away. There are certain safety nets in place—HomeExchange has damage and theft protection—but mostly you are going on the faith that people who are willing to let you stay in their home will also take care of your home. I also have to believe that people who would be up for an adventure like this are “my kind of people”!
Still, I had plenty of concerns. How can we trust them? What do we do with all of our stuff? Does our house have to look like an Airbnb? What about the dog? But as soon as I started considering the benefits, those worries faded to the background. Three weeks in Hawai‘i without paying for accommodation—or car rental! Beaches, Mai Tais, volcanoes … ! Could I really let something like “possessions” get in the way of such a grand adventure? The answer was clearly, no.
So we figured it all out. We did a lot of preparation, gradually organizing cupboards and closets, and wrapping it up with a solid three days of cleaning right before we left. We communicated a lot with the family in Hawai‘i—asked questions and built trust.
It takes a similar leap of faith when you’re hiring someone for the first time. You don’t know each other and you both have to trust that you’ll do good by each other. Work will get done and invoices will be paid. Even with safety nets in place like contracts and agreements, it can feel like a lot.
If you’ve never hired a designer or you’re looking for a new one, I understand that you might be anxious. Why should you trust me with your *most important project*?
Preparation is key in starting a new design project together. By discussing your vision, goals, and expectations upfront, we can ensure that the project is a success. We’ll discuss specifics like deliverables, timelines, and desired outcomes.
Communication is the foundation of a successful collaboration. An open line of communication is incredibly important and we should both feel free to bring up any concerns, ideas, or feedback as they arise. Clear communication helps grow trust, and…
Trust is essential! I want you to feel confident in my abilities to bring your vision to life. My aim is to gain your trust in my skills and dedication to your mission.
So, while working with a new graphic designer might feel like taking a leap of faith, remember that I am your partner in this and with preparation, communication, and trust we can create something awesome together. And maybe simply the fact that I’m out here doing this work, sharing the passion that you have, is enough to tell you that I am “your kind of people.”
Hawai‘i Highlights
