Designing her own home and posting photos on Instagram led Neeta Robu, of Naperville, to start her own interior design company, Neetly Done. (Steve Metsch / Naperville Sun)

Phone/website: 217-766-2224, www.neetlydone.com

Owner: Neeta Robu, 39, of Naperville

How did this business start? “It started out as me updating my own home and sharing that experience and journey on a social media platform, which led to people contacting me for interior design services. Then I formed the company,” Robu said.

How did the virus impact your business? “During the pandemic we were all stuck at home. We didn’t have the bandwidth and time to work on the home prior to that. Being home eliminated commuting time. The kids were home, so I wasn’t running around. It freed up time to start making the home what we always wanted and dreamed it could be.

“I started learning slowly how to use all the power tools. I do all my carpentry and woodworking. ... I really like it. Room by room, it all came together.”

Neeta Robu, owner of Neetly Done in Naperville, enjoys helping clients design their homes. This is the music room in her home. (Steve Metsch / Naperville Sun)

How long have you lived in this house? “Eight years in September.”

So, it has changed quite a bit? “Definitely. If you look back at old pictures, this was a toy zone. Definitely did not feel cohesive. ... My biggest task in an open concept like this is to make it cohesive, give each room a personality, but also make it all work together.”

How many children do you have? “Three boys, 10, 7 and 4. There was really no time to do house projects before.”

Do you have another job? “I still have a full-time job, but they allow us to work remotely. During the day that’s what I focus on and this stuff happens the balance of the time. ... I do project program management for CNH Industrial in Burr Ridge. They make agriculture equipment.”

And this job? “This feeds to the creativity side of things. I enjoy that. It’s almost therapeutic for me.”

How is it therapeutic? “One, it gives me the freedom to do things, at least in my own home, take some risks, play with colors, textures and design — within a budget, of course. ... There’s a lot that goes into it. One is trying to see the vision for one space as it interacts with everything else. And, also, sourcing materials.”

What happens when someone contacts you? “First, I want to understand what mode they are in. Are they in a home and want to start personalizing it? Do they want to do construction to modify space? Understanding the scope is step one.

“Second, would be an in-person consult or virtual if they’re really far. Then I try to get a visual myself so I walk through the space, kind of see the lay of the land. I do pictures, measurements, any unique features they want to incorporate. I take notes. Then I come home and load all that into a 3D visualization software. I like to see things in 3D versus trying to map something out in 2D.  ... In 2D, you can’t see depth.”

Clients of Neetly Done, a Naperville-based interior design business, receive coffee beans that remind them that inspiration can lead to satisfaction. (Steve Metsch / Naperville Sun)

How’s the business going?  “It keeps me busy. I have four clients in progress always, which has been a good thing. Word of mouth has been huge.”

What’s the key? “The big thing is they have to figure out and tell me what their design style is. Are they more traditional? Are they modern? Are they contemporary? Are they somewhere in-between?”

Is there a hot style? “In the early 2000s, one wall painted a color used to be thing. Everything else was beige or white. We’re going away from that and doing a color in a whole room, including crown and baseboards. It’s a very dramatic look where it creates a cozy feel, especially if it’s a darker color.”

You studied electrical engineering at the University of Illinois. Did you ever imagine doing this?  “Even back then, I’d watch HGTV like everybody else and wish I could do that.”

Do clients get perks? “We started a coffee line. ... I wanted to tie the coffee in with the interior design. ... The message to the coffee line is that little jolt you need to get going. ... The names of the blends are ‘Inspiration’ and ‘Satisfaction.’ If you take your inspiration and work with it, at some point in the journey you’ll end up with satisfaction.”

What do you like best? “The interaction and relationships.”

Any negatives? “Balancing (time) is definitely hard.”

What makes Naperville good for business? “People do care about their homes and property values.”

What misconceptions may people have? “That it’s easy.”

Do clients learn about design? “I was recently painting a room at a client’s house. The owner wanted to help me out. I gave her a feel of how to paint.”

What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Be less afraid.”

If you have a business to profile, contact Steve Metsch at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.