In ten short (and long) years I have gone from painting furniture in my garage and selling it and other “junk” out of an antique mall to working as an interior decorator online and locally. This is a daunting post because it has been such a journey and seems a bit like navel gazing but the truth is, I am very thankful to be in this place and I want to share about it a bit more, I first talked about it here…thanks for indulging me!

I get emails and inquiries quite often asking “how did you get started” and asking for advice on starting a business in design, especially online consultations and how that works.  Like I said it has been a long and complex journey and NOT PLANNED though it was my prayer to have a business. But only God could orchestrate motherhood, technology and the desire of my heart to work out this way.  I am not a “computer person” and  I do not have a degree in design. Yet the Lord is allowing me to do something I really love to do. Now I have some experience. I am very thankful.

Around the year 2000 I was unhappy in my job, longing to become a mother and my parents were getting divorced.  I had always loved design.  I even nearly ditched my major in grad school to start over in an undergrad design program. But I had an assistantship and  I finished with degrees in history and Museum Studies.  I am glad I did. My work in those fields prepared me for much.  But decorating was always my hobby and way to escape stress.  My true joy and love.  

So in 2000, I started painting furniture I would find at garage sales and selling it in shops along with small junk pieces and other “things”…I even had a booth in an “antique mall,” I would do little markets and just “play shop” anyway I could. I really didn’t care if i made money it was just so fun. I was young and had energy. At that time I was working under the name “Shabby South Interiors” so clever and cute I thought. 

I also was finding support for my dreams through an online community associated with Victoria magazine.  Remember that great magazine.?! It went under and then was revived but it’s never been the same to me… Anyway the original Victoria magazine had message boards on the magazine’s website and one of the boards was called “The Business of Bliss” and it was awesome.  Before blogs this little place was a great community of women trying to figure out how to start businesses or encourage and share with others what they already knew. There I met Amy Powers from Inspire Company, one of the nicest and most talented people on the planet.  She created my first website.  I wish I could show you, it was so pretty.  I also met Tracey from a Cottage Industry and she helped me create my first business cards and price tags and was such an encouragement.

All of this to say, God used other people and online support to help develop my dream and keep me focused on “following my bliss”, my husband and mother were also extremely supportive and encouraging but being able to talk with other women in business was and is such a resource. 

Which brings me to the next point, if YOU are dreaming of starting a creative business, I encourage to find a group of women, either through blogs or mentoring, online or in real life, some resource to educate and encourage you are the finer points of this dream.  One possible resource may be a workshop being put on by my friend Emily over at Jones Design Company.  Not only is Emily offering a workshop to give you some good information on web design, time management, setting up an online shop, etc..but she is also CREATING A COMMUNITY, a private community online where you can discuss your dream for a creative business and not just dream but get practical advice and information.  I am so excited about what she is doing.  The Internet is a vast frontier for women and mothers (sorry for the cliche but it’s true!), a great place for business and I encourage you as you step out and explore if this is a place for you and your ideas.