Shepherd& Founder on Supplier Partnerships

Freda Shepherd, founder of the design studio Shepherd&, states that strong supplier collaboration is a vital business asset. She makes this case in her monthly column for Design Insider, drawing on her experience across both fashion and interior design.

Shepherd contends that suppliers are not mere product providers but trusted partners. The strength of these relationships, she writes, directly determines the quality of a project's final outcome. For her, this partnership is the necessary foundation for any successful design business.

Trust as the Core Component

At the heart of every strong supplier relationship is trust, according to Shepherd. She says this trust cannot be rushed or negotiated. It is built over years through consistency, sincerity, and mutual respect developed while delivering successful projects together.

This trust must work both ways. Suppliers need to have confidence in the designer just as the designer has confidence in them. While competitive pricing remains important, Shepherd argues the real value lies in a supplier who understands your standards and meets them consistently. This reliability allows a designer to focus on their clients.

Building Relationships Takes Time

Many of the supplier relationships at Shepherd& were developed over years. Shepherd notes that moving between the fashion and interior design industries gave her a unique perspective. It also came with a responsibility to nurture the trust already earned and to build her own credibility within those existing partnerships.

She emphasises that strong partnerships are not inherited. They must be continually invested in. In a fast-paced business environment, she says genuine relationships are one of the few things that cannot be quickly replicated. They are built over years, not months.

Start by Listening

One of the most important lessons Shepherd has learned is that lasting relationships begin with understanding. This applies whether working with a client, a supplier, or a fellow designer. It starts with listening.

The process involves offering advice when appropriate and finding ways to offer support. Shepherd observes that businesses which take time to understand their suppliers' capabilities and strengths often create the most enduring partnerships. The value of these relationships, she concludes, extends far beyond any single project. In her experience, they are not simply a contributor to success but the very foundation of it.