My first day on the job, I learned the basics of how my supervisor goes about remodeling homes. She showed me the graph paper she uses to keep track of the measurements, she has obtained of the home. Then she showed me how she pulls these measurements into the computer to make CAD drawings, which allows her to then add a variety of cabinets, fixtures, lighting, etc to the space she is remodeling. Then, the renderings can be made and sent to clients to approve of before construction begins. It surprised me just how much goes into the process of remodeling a home.

In a small business, I think communication is very important as everyone must be on a similar wavelength, which is something I have seen at my internship site. I have also improved my communication skills with my supervisor as my busy schedule has made it difficult to find times to come in to intern. However, I was able to communicate and find times to come in and complete my hours.

At my internship I have utilized many new programs on the computer such as Sketchpad that are used to make the renderings of kitchens, bathrooms, and more for clients. Additionally, I have learned how to photoshop these renderings on Procreate to make them more appealing to clients.

I think leveraging technology ethically means to make sure everyone has access to the technology they need to do their job to the best of their ability.

Being the only intern/ person my page at my organization makes me feel thankful that I am able to have the opportunity to be an intern. I am making sure to use my skills and knowledge to ask relevant questions that allow me to be engaged with what is going on in the business.

At my internship, I have experienced situations where the clients have been very adamant in what they want in their home remodel, even if it is does not look the best with their home. For example, one client wanted an orange oven hood in their kitchen, and my supervisor who was designing the kitchen did not think it was the best choice. However, my supervisor had to keep an open mind and respect the clients decision.

Equity and inclusion play a role in work culture because if everyone has fair access to the same technology and other services in the workplace, then there are less disagreements and arguments which helps everyone to be able to collaborate and work together in a more effective way.

• What are some ways you all network in your business?

• How do you deal with clients that do not agree with your design choices?

• As a small business, how important is it for you to support other small businesses?

• What is it like working as a small business?

• How do you all communicate within your business?

• How do you find the majority of your clients?

• What made you want to go into the interior design business?

Reflection:

Asking these questions made me aware of many things in the remodeling industry, such as the National Kitchen and Bath Association, which is a way my supervisor and her co workers are able to network with similar company's and find new places to shop from when remodeling homes. It also made me aware of how much their company values shopping from local company's and other small businesses around Louisville. However, some local company's oftentimes do close down, which can make it difficult for my supervisor and her coworkers to find other local company's that they trust and know will sell good quality appliances, fixtures, countertops, etc.

Additionally, my supervisor mentioned she did not initially plan to go into interior design, she majored in political science and planned to go to law school. However, she is happy with her job now, although she still sometimes has some dreams of going to law school. Hearing this served as a reminder to me that it is perfectly normal to change career paths, which I believe is an important thing to remember as I'm beginning to apply to college and select a major.

Overall, this experience allowed me to have a better understanding of the operations of a small business, specifically how important it is to have good communication and collaboration skills to be able to partner with other businesses around Louisville to be able to remodel homes to the best of their ability.