Kelly Hoppen Gives Us Her Top Five Career Tips!

Kelly Hoppen has two series of BBC Two’s Dragon’s Den and numerous interior design books ticked off her to-do list.

Last year, she was crowned the second most influential female interior designer by The Daily Telegraph.

She's the proprietor of her business, Kelly Hoppen Designs. So we were thrilled to have the oppurtunity to ask interior design and author extrodinaire Kelly Hoppen (MBE) on all of her best career tricks and tips...

1. Do something you love

Make sure you’re doing what you love. I knew from very early on what I wanted to do in life and have been the lucky enough to have the same job that I’m passionate about for over 40 years, however I feel that my complete and utter obsession for design is what has given me the drive to get out of bed every morning and achieve my absolute best.

2. Set goals

Set goals for yourself and put actionable steps in place to ensure that you achieve them. Whether you aim to get a promotion at work or set up your very own business, these ideas will only remain dreams until you write plan out how you are going to reach them by writing down realistic steps towards hitting your targets.

3. Find a mentor

Find a career mentor by building a relationship with someone you look up to that has already achieved the things you aim to accomplish yourself. The advice and guidance of someone who has passed through all of those hurdles before you is priceless and can essentially help fast track your success as you wont have to make their mistakes.

4. Dress for the job you want

All of the clichés about style in the work place are true and I believe in them whole heartedly! Dress how you want to be addressed and dress for the job you want, not for the job you have. As a designer, fashion is an important element for me, but I do feel that if you’re dressed presentably it makes you feel good, sends a message to everyone you come into contact with and is proven to boos your confidence too.

5. Work hard

Last but not least, an obvious one that is a key ingredient to a successful career – work hard! Put in the extra time it takes to get ahead, stay ahead of the curve on topics in your industry and make sure you’re giving it one hundred per cent at all times. Nothing worth having comes easy but hard work does pay off and if you’re doing what you love you’ll surely find ways to have fun along your career journey.

Watch the video below for Kelly Hoppen's thoughts on women in business from our #Grazia10 event...