Welcome to our monthly editorial series A Day in the Life where we ask successful women we admire to share the daily minutiae of their professional lives, from the rituals that set them up for success to their evening wind-down routines. This month we sat down with Estee Stanley, the fashion stylist turned interior designer who is streamlining the way interior designers and architects work with clients through her agency The Eye. Read on to learn how this enterprising entrepreneur stays focused, manages her inbox, and finds the time to binge-watch “Losing Alice” at the end of the day.

Tell us a bit about The Eye. What whitespace did you see in the market? What need did you want to fill?

Before transitioning into interior design, I spent many years working as a celebrity fashion stylist. During my time as a stylist, I was represented by The Wall Group. Although hesitant at first, the benefits of having an agent became so apparent (more money, less hassle) that giving up a cut of my hard-earned money became beyond worth it.

Then, after transitioning into interiors, I couldn’t find the same opportunity for representation, and I never understood why. Having someone to advocate on your behalf, negotiate your contract and fees, and act as a liaison between client and designer throughout the project creates the space for creatives to do what they do best, create! I want to implement this already proven successful representation model into the design industry, helping bring more transparency to all! 

Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why? 

I would definitely say I am a night owl. My creativity often sparks after a few drinks, however, my mid-morning fully caffeinated self is definitely my most prolific self. 

What time do you get up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking?

I typically get up around 7:30 or 8:00 am, which always feels too early. After immediately brushing my teeth, I try to get some light stretching in, and then it’s off to get my kids organized for their day. 

What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?

My mornings often look different (I have my kids to thank for the spontaneity) but I do my best to fit in yoga or tennis whenever I can!

Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get to your desk?

First thing is to check and make sure I have my iced tea and water easily accessible. Once the caffeine component has been secured, I typically start my day by checking the news. 

What are you working on this week?

Currently, we are in the development stage of creating The Eye’s very own Youtube channel. Our channel will include a variety of unique design shows featuring many of the talented designers on our roster. I love TV so brainstorming and pitching shows has been very fun for me! 

What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business? The most challenging?

There are a ton of rewarding aspects of this job, but my favorite is being the person to our designers that I always wish I had in my corner. With The Eye being the first-of-its-kind agency within the design industry, one of the biggest challenges we’ve faced has been educating people on the reason for our services. Considering designers have been working and clients have been hiring long before The Eye ever existed, people wonder why now? It’s our job to show both designer and client the benefits of using The Eye’s services over the ladder. 

Photo: Alexander Design Courtesy of The Eye Agency

Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication entrepreneurs are so familiar with?

This one is tough for me, as I have to admit I am not a big email person. I am pretty old school when it comes to communication and way prefer someone to pick up the phone and call me directly. Knowing that is way less common in the world we live in now, hitting inbox zero rarely ever happens for me, unless it’s on my phone (since I refuse to install the email app there, lol). That being said, I still love the constant influx of inquiries because they often lead me to connections and opportunities I would have never known otherwise. 

What is your go-to work lunch?

Typically, I’ll eat a Nicoise salad or an Italian chopped salad with no meat. However, recently I have been incorporating a lot of banana bread into my diet as well, as I started a side company called Gone Bananas Bread as a way to raise money and give back to charitable causes across our community. Check us out at gonebananasbread.com.

What advice do you have for balancing the minutiae of day-to-day tasks with big-picture planning?

My advice would be to not get too bogged down in your email inbox. Try to section off times in your day to work on certain tasks. That way, you don’t spend too much time doing one thing. It also helps you carve out more time for creative conversation and long-term thinking.

What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?

Lots of water and deadlines! Working on a deadline always helps me stay focused and more productive. 

Any favorite apps you use regularly?

Woodoku, The Hoffman Process App, Instagram (obviously), and Bitmoji.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now to help you wind down at the end of the day?

Reading: “Siblings Without Rivalry” (LOL)

Watching: Where do I begin… I am a complete TV junky. Right now I am watching “Losing Alice” and “Possessions,” and I just finished “Money Heist” and “The Split.” 

When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” number of sleep hours?

14 hours is my optimal amount, only when dreams come true. However, I settle for 8 and usually am asleep by midnight.

What’s the most rewarding part of your day? 

2 part answer!  

1) Seeing my kids getting along and realizing how much they teach me on a daily basis.

2) Having fun at work and finding the humor in the small day-to-day things. If you can’t find a smile or laugh while on the job, I would suggest reassessing what you're doing.

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