Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Harris.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Catch 22 Boutique was my first baby. Originally started out as a trendy online boutique-in 2006, in Houston–long before Instagram & Instagram boutiques. Relaunched in 2013 in DC, as a luxury consignment shop, and quickly evolved into a lifestyle boutique. I do the luxury consignment still, but my main is interior design and space planning–including renovation structural design & consulting. We also do investment properties. Jane of all trades. I went full-time entrepreneur (the first time) in 2013. Dipped back into corporate America in 2018, after moving back to Texas, and now full time entrepreneur again.
What I realized is that what I thought was failure, was a simple stepping stone. I was more worried that I would be viewed as a failure and that–made me think I was a failure. Don’t let social media life fool you. Entrepreneurship gets this grandiose aura about it, but it isn’t all glamorous. You take dips. You need breaks, and for me, I had to find the balance between being a wife, a mom, and an entrepreneur all at the same time. I never abandoned my businesses, just lost my enthusiasm for the drive at one point and had to get back on track. Raising small kids is no joke, A mother, a wife, and a business woman are all THREE full-time jobs. I needed to get a flow that worked for me & overcome the step-back I took when we moved and becoming a new mom. Going back to corporate brought my drive back & made me realize just how much I wanted it for myself.
I absolutely love doing the installations on an interior project but I can also do it remotely and design online for clients that are not local. I have designed an entire kitchen in Nashville, from home. I designed a Planned Parenthood in MD from my couch. I got to do that install because it was pre-Covid, but biggest part of running a business is knowing how to be innovative and pivot. I have been online designing but never pushed it as an added feature until now. A lightbulb went off like, tahdah! You’ve been doing this; now market it! I worked in radio sales prior to going full time entrepreneur, and it was my clients that actually pushed me the most! Realizing my attributes and strong points is what gave me the confidence to make the leap. The love for renovation and renovation consulting, goes hand in hand with the interior design, and the fact that Jasper (my husband) & I, love to be hands on in flips. He now has the design bug too! We’ve been investing and dabbling our entire marriage (9 years), and now that we have a few of projects under our belts, we can say with confidence that we are real estate investors.
Last year, my friend Courtney came to me about launching a real estate podcast. She did allll this research, and basically gave me a presentation pitch as to why we should do it. A podcast was far from what I ever imagined. It is 3 women of color in the real estate world. She is in Cali, & Eboney and I are in Texas. Real Women Real Estate launched mid February 2020, just before Covid hit, and it has surpassed any expectations I could ever have had for it. It happened so fast. It’s like, everyone was waiting for us to do this! This goes back to walking in your purpose. Nothing is overnight, but when it’s right, you will get signs along the way to know that it is right. It seems like I do a lot (which I do) but they all flow together. It’s all about having a schedule and being organized. My love language is acts of service, and it shows in my desire to help people achieve their goals. Kimberly Harris for Catch 22 Boutique and Catch 22 Interiors.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am very hands-on in business. Covid–2020, was a rough beginning. I had to pivot and pivot quickly. I started doing virtual consultations. Everyone was home and wanted to spruce up their place one way or another. This quickly turned to a whole new business of doing remote and virtual interior designs, which I am still doing today. I now give clients the option of a virtual design or an in-person one. I was able to end 2020 on a really high note.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I own a lifestyle boutique which is multifaceted, from interior design to luxury e-commerce consignment. I specialize in renovation consulting, as well as office and home interiors. I do investment properties which I am the renovation consultant for on all our projects as well as other investors and contractors in the industry. This sets me apart from others because I am able to oversee structural changes and not just wall color/furniture changes.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
My oldest son, Jackson, went viral for looking like John Legend in his 7th month baby pictures in 2017…I posted it as a joke, because so many people said it, on the countdown to his first birthday, and woke up to a viral baby that is still going! He is 5 now and we still get sent the pictures of a new post, we are just ordinary people 🙂 I am also the “momager” to both my sons’ modeling careers.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.catch22boutique.com
- Instagram: @catch22boutique | @mrskrae
- Twitter: @catch22boutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catch22boutique/
- Pinterest: Catch22boutique
Image Credits
Matthew Romes
