Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonie Hunter.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for interior design sparked as a teenager. I was an avid watcher of HGTV and regularly dreamed of transforming ordinary spaces into creative ones. My first chance to test my design ability was during my high school senior project. I redesigned my first bedroom and en suite for a family friend. As excited as I was to complete my first project, I was not thrilled with the results, nor was my client.
After completing my first project, I questioned my abilities and if I should be a participant or a spectator in the field. Doubt got the best of me, and I decided to be a spectator. That’s until another opportunity landed at my feet.
There’s a quote by a famous fashion and interior designer, Iris Apfel, who said, “Fashion and interior design are one and the same.” This truth led me to the client that launched my career.
My client was a co-worker at the time who admired my style. She and other co-workers often complimented me on how I dressed. This led them to ask me to redesign the company office space without prior knowledge of my design history.
This project at the University of Texas kicked off my career. I transformed an old drab, windowless space in the stadium into something inviting and vibrant; from then on, I was hooked, and so were those around me. This project came 6 years later, and this time, my clients and I enjoyed the results. My business started to get traction through word of mouth. Although I completed several residential decor projects, I felt like I needed more developmental time to take them to the next level. I also needed more confidence in myself and my design abilities. I still doubted myself, which made it difficult to invest the time and energy required to make the business successful. Not to mention, I still worked full-time, which made it challenging to grow my business.
Further, I didn’t know anything about entrepreneurship, marketing, or sales. All of these seeming shortcomings fed my insecurities, and once again, I let my momentum fade.
Fast forward to 2018, after 5 years of pursuing a career that didn’t fit me, I decided to quit my job and freelanced as a business operations consultant until I could figure out what to do next. Usually, when people share their “I quit my job” story, they talk about how scared they were; however, I wasn’t afraid; I was lost. I didn’t know who I was without my former job. I thought about design in the first couple of weeks of sitting in my house. Still, I felt guilty for attempting it again since I felt like I had wasted my last opportunity. I leaned on encouragement from my husband to just let the next couple of months play out without trying to make any definitive plans. Being laid back is not my best quality because I am naturally a planner and love checking things off of lists. My husband basically told me not to have a list and be patient. I took his advice (somewhat), and freelancing also helped me take the edge off of waiting for my next move.
Later the same year, the co-worker that helped launch my career recommended me for another small office project. I took this as my sign/opportunity to enter back into design. This time I knew more about how to start and run a business and moved forward with more confidence.
By this time, I had a business coach, read a few self-help books, dived deep into design and color theory, received my certificate in staging, and garnered a network of seasoned business owners.
As I worked on my now second commercial project, I phased out my role as an operations specialist and focused on design and staging full-time.
4 years later, I have grown my business to a full-service design firm, with a 2,000 sq ft warehouse of beautiful inventory filled with bespoke art and accessories and custom furniture. I have also consulted for staging and design companies in Texas and California.
Moments in my growth and confidence journey are reminders to never give up, even when I feel like I suck at something. Through my experiences, I learned that talent and desire are only the catalysts; practice and repetition make the expert.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The only thing that’s been smooth in my life is my skin and marriage. However, my career has always been bumpy, lol.
I struggled with self-confidence and doubt. I worked through a lack of finances and access and sometimes a lack of support, but I have a firey spirit that won’t let me settle for no. I’ve always found a way to muster up enough faith to pivot and do the character-developing work necessary to make my dreams a reality.
It sounds simple, but it is not. Much reading, mentoring, praying, and crying went into starting my design business from the ground up.
As you know, we’re big fans of Evy & Co Modern Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Evy & Co aims to set the backdrop for our client’s dream life and pair that with well-organized systems to provide a seamless and stress-free experience.
We are a full-service interior design firm that specializes in a Modern aesthetic.
We are known for adding more color and edge to traditional neutral palettes in modern design.
We frequent local art exhibits to gain inspiration, find unique artists, and source one-of-a-kind art pieces.
We are tastemakers, infusing our client’s vision into their spaces and promoting originality within modern style guides.
We offer residential, small office design, and custom furniture for busy professionals. As well as floor plans and finish schedules for custom builds.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
During Covid, I learned that entrepreneurship equals fluidity. A rigid business owner is a soon-to-be failed business owner.
I had to take risks and offer new products, which was a blessing in disguise. I am now closer to my dream of working from anywhere worldwide and building a fully remote team.
My default is usually old school, so it was challenging to get used to marketing and networking from my computer initially, but I love it now. It’s allowed me to think about new ways to complete design projects remotely and dabble in the tech side of design. All this to say, more fun and innovative products are on the way.
Pricing:
- Connection Call – Free
- Strategy Session – $500
- Design Plans – Starting Investment $2,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evyandco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evyandcompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leoniehunter18
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leoniehunter9967 | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClTzvZeQBOIIVti-6ZYUAmA
Image Credits
Stefanie Rodriguez
