A career in design sales offers a combination of creative problem-solving, schedule flexibility, and uncapped earning potential. For professionals seeking autonomy over their daily schedules, self-employed and consultative sales roles provide a viable alternative to traditional salaried positions.
In this candidate spotlight, Jane Emblem shares her career progression from working as a self-employed designer to becoming a Divisional Sales Manager at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.
From Self-Employed Designer to Sales Leadership
Q: Jane, what was your professional background prior to joining Hammonds?
Jane: My background before Hammonds involved a mix of self-employed design roles and small business management. I was working as an independent designer for Bettaliving when the business went into liquidation. That sudden shift led me to look for a new self-employed opportunity.
It was essential that my next step align with my core criteria: working with an established family-run business and leveraging my background in bedroom and interior design.
Over my career, I had managed my own studio for five years—specialising in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms—and briefly worked in salaried sales. However, I quickly realised that employed roles came with capped earnings. The flexibility of self-employed sales stood out as the most practical choice because it provided higher earning capacity and schedule autonomy. While self-employment requires planning for unpaid time off, the earning potential compensates for that structure.
Choosing Hammonds Fitted Furniture
Q: What factors led you to join Hammonds as a Sales Designer?
Jane: Hammonds was a natural fit based on my experience in home interiors. The company has a long-standing heritage in the UK market, strong brand recognition, and a clear product proposition that resonates with homeowners.
Career Growth, Earning Capacity, and Daily Flexibility
Q: How has your career at Hammonds impacted your personal and professional life?
Jane: The primary benefit has been consistent financial stability and earning capacity. That financial independence enabled me to buy my own home, support my family, and manage my personal commitments with complete peace of mind.
Q: What are the primary reasons you recommend a Sales Designer role at Hammonds?
Jane: There are several practical advantages to this role:
- Schedule Flexibility: You manage your own diary and appointment structure, offering greater freedom than a standard PAYE role.
- Project Variety: Every client consultation involves different spatial challenges and design requirements.
- Uncapped Earning Potential: Commission structures reward consistent performance, with clear pathways to increase income.
- Structured Training and Mentorship: New designers receive comprehensive onboarding, field training, and ongoing support from experienced managers.
- Lead Generation and Showroom Support: Designers receive warm customer leads generated through national marketing campaigns and established showroom networks.
Key Advice for Aspiring Sales Designers
Q: What tips would you offer to someone starting in interior design sales?
Jane: I recommend focusing on three core practices:
- Maximise Availability Early On: Be flexible with your time during your initial months to gain exposure, shadow experienced team members, and learn the product range quickly.
- Build Resilience: Adapting to a new sales process takes time. Stay focused on daily inputs rather than becoming discouraged during the learning curve.
- Utilise Management Resources: Take full advantage of the training, head office support, and senior management guidance available to you.
Take the Next Step in Your Sales Career
Whether you are seeking a career transition into design sales or looking to scale your commercial sales force, Citrus Connect provides structured recruitment support.
- For Sales Professionals: Explore current UK sales vacancies to find flexible, high-earning roles matched to your experience and strengths.
- For Business Leaders: Contact our specialist recruitment team to discuss your headcount strategy and learn how our recruitment model supports sales force growth.
