How I Found Interior Design as a career.

In 2004, as my wedding day drew nearer, I found myself standing at a significant crossroads in my life. For nearly a decade, I had been deeply entrenched in the custom framing industry, all the while balancing the roles of a college student and a single mother in the bustling city of Atlanta. At the tender age of 19, my unwavering determination was fueled by the desire to secure a career that could promise a more stable future for both my child and me.

My journey into the world of interior design began to take shape when I enrolled in the Interior Design program at Western Carolina University in late 2003. The roots of my passion for art and design ran deep, with a particular fervor for the art of home design. I had a reputation for continually rearranging rooms and adorning my walls with vibrant, unconventional colors. Even in my pre-teen years, I harbored aspirations of becoming an architect, and my family history boasted a rich legacy in the furniture and design industry.

During this period, HGTV, though in its infancy, managed to cast a spotlight on interior design as a promising career choice. The moment I discovered that I could pursue a degree in interior design, I experienced an epiphany – I had found my true calling.

However, life had more twists and turns in store for me. A week before the birth of my son, my family acquired a custom picture framing shop. Just six days after my son's arrival, I found myself thrust into a leadership role, managing the family business. Several years down the road, the family opted to sell the business, which presented me with an opportunity to reignite my pursuit of an interior design education.

Returning to Western Carolina University and resuming my interior design courses, I was resolute in my determination to transform my dream into reality. During my college internship at a local interior design company in Asheville, fate smiled upon me, as I was offered a position as a personal assistant to the lead designer, several months before my graduation.

With each passing year, my experience and knowledge grew, a result of the invaluable time I spent working under the guidance of my mentors. It didn't take long before I mustered the courage to take a leap of faith and embark on my own entrepreneurial journey. Operating from the comfort of my home, I began to receive referrals from contractors who recognized the potential in my abilities, and I eagerly began assisting their clients in crafting custom-designed homes. This arrangement worked splendidly, particularly as my children navigated their high school years, including the tumultuous challenges of lockdown.

As my youngest child commenced his junior year at Asheville High School, I arrived at a momentous decision. I resolved to transform what had initially been considered a mere "side job" into something uniquely mine – an endeavor that would leave an indelible mark on my career and legacy.

Each chapter of my life has contributed to my journey. From my early art classes and working alongside my father at his home goods store in Denmark to assisting him on construction sites, my involvement in custom picture framing, my college years, and the responsibilities of motherhood – each experience has shaped me into the professional I am today. I'm thrilled to continue learning and growing, eagerly anticipating the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in my journey to expand my business.