Meet Trailblazer Batya Stepelman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Batya Stepelman.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Batya. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started WallTawk, a Denver-based wallpaper boutique, and design consultancy in 2017. It’s been 2 1/2 years and I’ve completed almost 400 projects to date! The “showroom” is a little bit unconventional in that it is located on the bottom floor of our heavily wallpapered 19th Century home in Congress Park. I like to think of wallpaper as large format art, and with the number of fine art artists making patterns these days that’s definitely true! I wanted to bring independent wallcoverings and previously unrepresented lines to the Mountain West and that’s what I’ve done.

I made a few connections through social media, especially on Instagram when the platform was in its nascent stages, and that’s what helped my business grow. The business initially grew through word-of-mouth referrals and today it still grows in an organic way- friends telling friends, clients telling friends. That said, the support of local editors and business people have really made it thrive. It’s been an incredible ride thus far!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has always moved in an upward trajectory, but I’ve learned quite a few things along the way. The first is to get some good systems in place for your invoicing (I use Quickbooks), tracking sales/samples and consider hiring an accountant. Early on, I would do everything myself, and it became way too time-consuming. I got help!

In terms of using social media to grow your business, have an authentic message. It’s really important.

I made quite a few mistakes relating to time and trusting my voice.
I was featured in an online publication that had a large following. After the piece ran, I got a deluge of messages and inquiries. I had so many appointments for wallpaper that I couldn’t keep track. There were definitely serious clients who wanted to use my services, but there were also a lot of people who wasted my time. A good example of this was a man who told me he had three properties he wanted me to design using paper. One property was in Aspen, one was in Brooklyn and one was in Denver. I drove into the project and spend hours preparing for our meeting. After the meeting, which itself was about two hours long, he informed me that he was going to be selling his properties and that he would be moving overseas! That was really nice for him, but it was terrible for me. I wasted almost 10-15% of my work week on someone who really had no intention of supporting my business. From that day on I decided to have an appointment fee; it’s not a lot, but it helps me protect my time, which is something I really value! Know your worth!!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about WallTawk and Design – what should we know?
So, to the best of my knowledge, no one else in the Denver metro area specializes in boutique and independent wallcoverings, exclusively. It’s my passion! I research it, know a lot about it, and it makes people so happy!
The brands I work with have amazing human beings working at the helm. When you email the designer, that’s who emails you back. The businesses I work with are built on hard work, creativity, and a personal connection.

For the first 2 1/4 years of operations, I was sourcing amazing paper that had not been available in Denver. This included established boutique brands, as well as up and coming designers and artist.

But what I’m very proud about is my launch of Denver Damask. It’s an exclusive collaboration paper between WallTawk x Meredith Feniak. Meredith is a local Denver artist who specializes in botanical illustration. She designed an amazing pattern that features Red Rocks, Twin Peaks, RiNo, Union Station, the BlueBird marquee, Columbines, Aspen leaves, Spruce trees, indica and Sativa leaves, the lights of Larimer, etc.

10% of Denver Damask paper sales are being donated to The Center, a local organization that helps LGBT teens with mental health issues and suicide prevention.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
I listen to design podcasts from time to time, but my best tool is Instagram.
I also have a website which anchors the business.
Quickbooks for accounting and invoicing.
Canva for mood boards and look books (client).

Pricing:

• Denver Damask is $52.80/yard, 30″
• Papers range from $90.00/30′ roll and up. The average is around $200 for a double roll of paper measuring 30′. There are also papers that are priced by the SF, linear meter, linear yard, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: walltawk.com
• Phone: 917-450-5066
• Email: hello@walltawk.com
• Instagram: walltawk

Image Credit:
All the install shots were taken by me except the one where I (in a red sweater) am walking down the steps, that image was taken by Gibeon Photography. I purchased the rights to that image, profile photo, also purchased, is by Matthew Eaton, Matthewbe Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.