Answers For FAQ’s & Common Objections
“We’d rather have someone in-house for control.”
I understand the desire for control over the design output. However, in practice, remote design tends to be more responsive because we focus exclusively on deliverables. We're not distracted by in-office meetings or other responsibilities, so when you need something, it becomes our top priority.
“We want someone who is always available.”
The beauty of our agreement lies in the fact that whether we're on a retainer or working by project scope, our time is always reserved for you when needed. You benefit from our responsiveness, as we are available to assist you without the cost of having an idle team.
“We require a lot more work and need a full-time design team.”
We can scale with you. Whether that means adjusting the hours dedicated to your company or involving my network of support under the Ensata umbrella, we can meet your demand without requiring the management of more employees.
“How does this work contractually?”
We operate under a simple service agreement, either by project or a monthly retainer based on estimated volume. You'll have clarity on turnaround times, pricing, and deliverables.
“We’ve tried outsourcing design work before - on Fiverr, Upwork, Etc. - and it didn’t go well. Why would Ensata be any different?”
We often hear this sentiment, and it makes sense. Those platforms are designed for transactional freelance gigs. However, what we offer is completely different. The Ensata Design Firm is not a freelancer marketplace or a moonlighting operation. We are specifically built for high-end contractors who require consistent, high-quality, design-driven results. We are not just a design firm; we are a strategic partner.
“What does ‘ENSATA’ even mean?”
My journey into horticulture and construction began when I served as the COO of a small Japanese-themed garden center and café, designed as a destination garden center in Grand Island, NY. I had the opportunity to train with some of the best garden designers from Kanazawa, Japan, which sparked my passion for authentic Japanese-style gardens.
Over time, that garden center transformed into SATO, a Japanese ramen restaurant with multiple locations in Buffalo, NY, owned by some of my family members. The name 'Ensata' is a tribute to my humble beginnings; 'Iris ensata' is the specific epithet (or binomial nomenclature) for the Japanese iris, which inspired the name.
My question is: What will 'Ensata' mean in the future? The answer… World-Class Design.
