Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Carter.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in San Antonio. I spent my high school years in Comfort, TX, and lived in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Acclimating to a small-town high school was interesting, coming from the big city. It was an adjustment, but I am grateful for my time there and being able to enjoy the beauty of the land and space. After graduating high school, I hurried back to the city to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio. I wanted to be a Physical Therapist and received a bachelor’s degree in Science and Kinesiology.
Education was something my family instilled, my grandfather, David always said our education was something no one could take away. I also grew up admiring my Mother’s work ethic. As a single mother, she hustled, always made sure my sister and I were taken care of and showed us love with a lot of tough love. After graduating, I worked for a health group and quickly learned that a healthcare setting was not for me. I had an opportunity to work in operations and marketing and loved working behind the scenes. I loved marketing. However, I felt like I checked all the boxes, went to school, graduated, got a great job, but I still felt incomplete. The 8-5, behind a desk, was just not for me! I had an opportunity to switch gears and become self-employed as a project manager for a real estate and renovation team and jumped on it, even though I had zero experience flipping and selling houses. It was a new challenge and I took a risk. I thought I was covered since I was going to work with my then-husband and help the family business. I took a risk but quickly learned that working with a spouse and family members had it perks but also made life a little complicated. All those experiences, good and bad, showed me that I wanted to be my own boss, start my own business, and embark on the entrepreneurship journey.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been a little bumpy, but I’m grateful for all those experiences. I truly believe you have to go through some pain to learn. Growth is uncomfortable but all the experiences have taught me so much. Losing my mother, Rebecca to colon cancer at age 22 was such a blow. At that age, I felt that was when you really start to get to know your parents and build friendships. I felt so lost, like I lost my home base, and shortly after many things changed. I leaned on the support from my stepfather, and my Dad, stepmom, and sisters. I’m lucky to have a big family to lean on. I knew that life was short and nothing is guaranteed. I miss her guidance and wish I could pick up the phone and hear her voice, or hug her and hold her hand. I am amazed by her presence and the little signs of my mother I encounter today. I do everything still to this day to make her proud.
At age 25, I took a leap from my cushy job to help my then-husband at the time start his real estate brokerage and work with my stepdad flipping houses. This is where I got a taste of entrepreneurship and loved it. I loved starting a business from an operation standpoint. Long story short after an affair, a horrible betrayal, and divorce I was devastated. I was at a crossroad, to completely break free from my personal relationships and business relationships. I quickly realized that I did not enjoy mixing business and personal relationships. I made a very hard decision to end those positions and focus on my real estate career. This was so hard to leave not only for the heartaches but for the feeling of failure I felt. Failure to keep my marriage and failure to be cool enough to keep working somewhere where I wasn’t genuinely happy. All of those experiences however make me grateful where they led to me today.
For all the life and business lessons I learned. I didn’t stay in a situation because it was easy. It was really hard to move on and start over from scratch after all the hard work and time I invested. All these hardships and what I thought at the time were missed opportunities provided me the clarity and time to realize that I needed to start my own business. I had helped others start and maintain their business and felt the earning to do the same. I had to grow on my own. It was all me, no one to lean on, but that is when I got to know myself. I learned what I wanted. I took a chance for true happiness on my own. I’m so glad I did, it was a great growth period in my life and allowed me to see what I wanted and most importantly what I deserved. It wasn’t until I started to be my authentic self that is when it all started to come together. My experience with construction management and operation roles assured me that my niche and passion was in home decor and design. And I am happy to report that I found love again and soon to marry the love of my life, Daniel in February 2021!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pink Pueblo Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
Pink Pueblo Designs is an interior design studio dedicated to bringing people home décor tips and design. Our services are tailored based on what you need for your home and space. We help with home renovations and home decorating projects. We create spaces in your home and environments with personality and good design. We create clean, thoughtful spaces and environments tailored to your home and needs. We help you tell your story through design and decor to showcase your personality in your home. We believe your home and environments should evoke a feeling of order and happiness and be your sanctuary.
We offer virtual design services, styling services, and project management for home renovations. My role at Pink Pueblo Designs is the owner and lead designer. Home is our sanctuary and I love transforming and creating spaces that evoke feelings of happiness and order. I’m most proud of the experience and expertise we can bring with design. With my home construction and real estate background, it has taught me to look past the pretty and make sure your home is renovated, built right before we start the fun design process, and also functional. What sets us apart from others is we get to know our clients. I’m a true believer in that home takes time and you shouldn’t rush the process. We take the time to get to know you, your style, and help you piece together unique finds that bring your personality to your home.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It wasn’t until COVID-19 where people were stuck at home, they had the time to see what is working and what is not working in their home. Everyone had time to start cleaning, organizing, and decorating. Their home is not only their safe haven, and now it’s time to address any issues that were annoying or start clean and refresh their spaces. I see our industry growing more and more into virtual design. As much as I like to be in person and design with my clients, it taught me that a lot can still be done via facetime and video chats. We can still help provide guidance, shopping lists, and mood boards virtually. I see trends growing more towards more outdoor spaces for families to have room to spread out. More small and large gardens and plants! I also see more home offices and spaces for students to attend virtual classes. If you need help deciding a paint color, project management for a home renovation, or need ideas for a tile backsplash design, Pink Pueblo Designs would love to help!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pinkpueblodesigns.com
- Email: sarah@pinkpueblodesigns.com
Image Credit:
Flor Ameira
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