In 1978 Hilda graduated alongside her two friends that she met at school, Alma and Mechi. The three of them opened an independent interior design business named WPB Design Associates. It took off, and they were all able to make a living on their own terms. No employers, no stockholders, just 3 friends with a knack for interior design being hired by clients. To this day, 44 years later, Hilda still takes clients and works every day, not because she needs to but because it's what she loves.