Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonnika Clifton.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My start into interior decorating and design was actually a third career move (yes, third! Lol!). All through high school and my first year of college, I was studying to be a nurse. I loved the medical field and its ability to heal and change lives. As I worked my way through college, I also began working in the retail clothing field and served as manager for several brands. Along that time, while having a conversation with my oldest sister, she asked if I’d ever considered working as a decorator. She said that since I was so good with fashion, she felt like getting into decorating would be easy for me. Now, mind you, my sis is a serial entrepreneur and has always been, so her making a statement like this just rolled off her tongue, but for me, it was a surprising observation that I immediately blew off. I needed to stay in my lane!
Well, I must’ve been wrong because, over the next few months, I couldn’t stop thinking about her suggestion and even went as far as doing a bit of research on Interior Decorating. About this same time, I was also moving into my first apartment and, thanks to my sister’s resale store, I was able to pull some much-needed furniture & accessories for my empty space. One day, while I’m at work, as an administrative assistive (my second career path), my sister called me and exclaims, “I’m having tours at your apartment while you’re at work… you’ve done a great job with my resale pieces in your apartment!.” Boy, was I pleasantly surprised and instantly felt a sense of accomplishment. That one statement immediately fanned the flame of curiosity that was burning inside me regarding decorating, so I amped up my research by finding and ordering my first decorating book… “interior Decorating for Dummies.” This book was the jump-start to the biggest change in my life!
My first client was my mother. Our childhood home is a 40-year-old ranch-style that hadn’t seen the joys of an update in years. I convinced my mother to let me start with one room at a time and help her upgrade her house all while assisting me in “getting my feet wet.” Like most unassuming parents, she said yes and there, my journey began. I started Decorator Diva, LLC in 2006 and over the course of 9 years, I transformed the homes and commercial spaces of clients in and around the Houston area utilizing my passion and knowledge of space planning, color theory, and textures. In 2009, I was a semi-finalist in Kirkland’s national search for stand-out designers to introduce the launch of their community website, mykirklands.com. In that same year, I was featured on Houston’s KTRK Channel 13’s “Stretch Your Budget” segment and appeared as the guest decorator at several grand openings of Kirkland’s stores in the Houston area.
After receiving an Associates degree in Art from Houston Community College, I began to research interior design schools and landed on The Art Institute of Houston. I began my studies in the Fall of 2009 and in 2013 graduated with a BFA in Interior Design. I must say, this has been to date one of the most laborious and challenging ventures that I’ve experienced, but it also the most rewarding.
In January 2015, after a year of restructuring and planning, I opened my design firm… R J Clifton Designs. As an interior design boutique, RJ Clifton Designs is a recognized expert in bringing the best of art and function to your living spaces. Our interior design solutions and value-added services seek to create, change, and cultivate your living experience. With a creative flair for the unexpected and a passion for style, we Design Outside the Lines.
To date, I am super proud of my community involvement and business accomplishments. I am an active member of ASID Texas Gulf Coast Chapter (American Society of Interior Designers), as an Allied Designer, where I have served as a committee Chair and volunteered on several other committees. I am also a Project Coordinator for the volunteer organization Houston Furniture Bank D.I.V.A.S. (Designing Interiors – Volunteers at your Service), a subsidiary organization of the Houston Furniture Bank. The D.I.V.A.S. provide one-day makeovers for deserving individuals and families who have recently received housing.
To my delight and pleasure, I have been a featured contributor to the online lifestyle magazine, Love.Work.Repeat, a 2016 recipient of the 27th Annual Golden Apple Award from the National Women of Achievement, Inc. (NOWA) – Metro SE Houston Chapter and the co-founder of the only social networking group for Houston area African-American designers, design students and industry professionals (Creative Conversations Houston), amongst other accomplishments.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A smooth road?! Oh heck no! Over the course of my 12 cumulative years in business, I’ve experienced more than bumps… they’ve been monumental, moon-sized holes in the road! Hahaha!
One of the biggest challenges I’ve realized over the years is that running a business is really 80% business and only 20% creative! Wow, I sure wish someone would’ve told my mind that before my heart got all wrapped up into the love for my God-given talent… being a service to others through the function & beauty of decorating & design.
Needless to say, running AND sustaining a business is hard! It takes a keen sense of knowledge coupled with a passion to consistently create systems, processes, and creativity. All of which is needed to be profitable and have longevity in your field.
Before this realization, both business, Decorator Diva, LLC, and R J Clifton Designs, suffered greatly financially. The latter, in its first two years out of the fours the firm has been opened. It wasn’t until I really focused on the business at hand, and not just the service, that I realized my company wasn’t a hobby, yet an entity that deserved to produce income.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the R J Clifton Designs story. Tell us more about the business.
R J Clifton Designs is a boutique design firm with a distinguished reputation in bringing the best of art and function to your living spaces. Our interior design solutions and value-added services seek to create, change, and cultivate your living experience. Whether you need help with large-scale design projects, staging or color consulting, we’ll help you achieve the look you want; on time and within your budget.
We believe your home should reflect your personal taste and style. That’s why we spend considerable time listening to each client’s specific goals and ideas right from the start. Then, we guide you every step of the way until your vision is realized.
Our team is skilled at solving complex space and design problems and we work closely to ensure quality workmanship with special attention to detail.
Our extensive experience and creativity have led to countless client referrals, and most importantly, very satisfied clients. We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.
With a creative flair for the unexpected and a passion for style, we design outside the lines.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I crazy as it may sound, I actually don’t believe in luck! Lol. I am a believer that my faith in God, passion, consistency and hard work is what has brought me this far in my business.
Through my years of running a business as a decorator (Decorator Diva, LLC) to my current position as owner and Principal designer of R J Clifton Designs, I’ve had to deal with startup struggles, financial losses, disappointments and so much more, but one thing I’ve never lost is hope.
So, I would say that I’m pretty lucky to still be standing, but I know it’s my faith that’s keeping me.
Pricing:
- Initial Consultation – $250/2 hour meeting
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rjcliftondesigns.com
- Phone: 713-962-2954
- Email: rjcliftondesigns@yahoo.com
Image Credit:
Smith the Photographer, Photo by Lizeth
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
