Amanda Redd Lindroth ’84, an interior designer based in the Bahamas, has published her first, lavishly illustrated book, Island Hopping, which showcases island lifestyles and casual interior design. After Wellesley, Lindroth wrote for Women’s Wear Daily and W magazines, and later was director of public relations for Gucci in London. She launched her Nassau-based interior design business 10 years ago, and she has not looked back. Lindroth has designed island interiors for clients from Great Cranberry Island, Maine, to Belize.

What advice would you offer alums who are interested in interior design?

Ask yourself if you are really interested in design and follow your passion. A Wellesley education is a springboard for life. A smart option is to seek additional courses online or in the summer to investigate design skills. There are great programs at the New York School of Interior Design, Parsons, and the Fashion Institute of Technology to test the waters.

What has surprised you about being an entrepreneur? What should people launching new businesses expect?

As an entrepreneur, you have to be a risk taker, be all-in, give it 100 percent horsepower. Don’t be afraid to fail, because you will learn from mistakes. The most important aspect is to have impeccable standards and complete honesty. My advice for the perfect team is to hire people to handle areas in which you are not as strong.

You have been an expatriate in the Bahamas for almost 30 years. How has it been?

I love island living because it’s very active with people coming and going. It’s a life of friends visiting, which makes for great diversity. For interior design, however, it can be a bit challenging sourcing items, but it forces me to be more creative.

Did you enjoy writing Island Hopping?

It’s a big moment for a designer to be asked to do a book by Vendome, one of the very special publishing houses. I jumped at the chance. The writing was so much fun. I wrote professionally in my 20s at WWD and W, and remember being timid at it. It was ironically easier when I sat down to write this. Our lives are full of stories and content, and with age comes an easier level of confidence. I loved writing it! Another book is definitely on the horizon, with more photos and details about exuberant entertaining.