Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Slaughter.
Hi Amber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began the moment I graduated from Texas State University in 2005. My undergrad is a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and in the last semester of my senior year, one of my professors handed me a phone number of an aspiring hospitality firm in Houston and highly encouraged me to give them a call. At the time, I had no idea what field of Interior Design I wanted to explore – commercial or residential. I always knew though that I loved the challenge of understanding and implementing building and life safety codes that affect the common welfare of people.
In addition, I was very fascinated with understanding how the aesthetics of a space influence human nature. I wanted to design spaces for people to enjoy, to get excited about visiting time and time again and to make people feel comfortable. The design firm I secured an interview with was a hospitality Interior Design firm that specialized in hotel design. I was so excited, yet so nervous at the same time.
After I went for my interview, I knew this was the field of Interior Design I was meant to pursue. I was very fortunate to be hired on the spot, almost as if it was a match made in heaven. So, after graduation, my journey embarked on a rollercoaster of experiences. After working in the industry for 15 years, I knew it was time to spread my wings. The hospitality field is where my passion lies. While I absolutely love designing hotels, I also wanted to dive deep into the restaurant world to experience hospitality from a different lens. After many months of formulating my business plan, on February 1, 2020, STUDIO a28 officially launched.
Often, I get asked about the name of the studio, especially the “a28”. It’s so simple yet means so much to me. It all revolves around my kiddos! My husband and I have two children that happen to both be born on the 28th day on their birth month. A coincidence some may say, but it’s serendipitous to me. The “a” is simply put for Amber.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Never in my wildest dreams did my business model have a pandemic in the plan, especially one month after opening! The hospitality world, both hotels and restaurants, took their hardest downturn ever experienced in history. Projects were suddenly halted or even cancelled, and no one knew what the future would hold. It was terrifying. I was however very fortunate, to say the least! One of my dearest hotel clients from Montana transitioned with me to my design studio and we followed through with a beautiful hotel completion during the pandemic and then we started another hotel design after that. It was a true blessing. Not only did I have those two hotel projects to sustain me through the pandemic, but a local Woodlands client gave me an opportunity of a lifetime – to design their restaurant and bar. This opportunity opened doors I didn’t imagine I would walk through. It was a dream come true. Soon thereafter, a brewery, a bakery and barbershop opportunities came flowing in. Now two years in, the hospitality industry is starting to regain momentum and rise again! My studio was fortunate enough to have weathered the storm brought by the pandemic and we have so many fun projects on the horizon we can wait to share.
Not only did the pandemic bring the hardest downturn in the hospitality industry, it also brought personal challenges too. Like every other parent, my kiddos were suddenly home full-time right after spring break due to the coronavirus. Again, it was terrifying, but in a different way. I was one month into operating my new business and now I unexpectedly had two kids at home who needed to be monitored and guided through online schooling, all while simultaneously running a new business. It was extremely stressful and not easy, but we survived and made it through to the other side. If it wasn’t for my amazingly supportive husband, friends, family, and those in the education system who were my support system, it would have probably looked a little different today. I am forever grateful for each and every one of them!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
STUDIO a28 is a female-owned and operated hospitality Interior Design studio that specializes in hotels and restaurants across the US. While we specialize in hotels and restaurants, that doesn’t keep us from curating commercial, retail or multi-family spaces. Our clientele ranges in style and personality, especially considering the project locale, but they all have one thing in common, an interest in bringing passion and unique experiences to humankind. Our mission is to showcase their unique story from conception to reality for everyone to enjoy. We are a full-service Interior Design studio that derives fulfillment from team collaboration and second mile service for every project.
I have designed numerous hotel brands throughout my 17-yearlong career that include Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Hyatt, IHG, Disney, casinos and boutiques hotels.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Don’t take harsh words to heart, turn them into constructive criticism and make yourself better for it.
Enjoy and celebrate each milestone, no matter the size or impact.
Stay true to what you believe in and always be truthful back to yourself, and most importantly to your clients.
Enjoy the “slow times” as there will be a time when you wish you had that back.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@studioa28.com
- Website: www.studioa28.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioa28_interiors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioa28/
Image Credits:
Sally Patterson
Amber Slaughter
