Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Lackey.
Hi kathryn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I actually fell into design during a series of negative life transitions that were not so much “life losses” as “character shapers.” My future as the sole provider for my family depended on faith in God and faith in myself. Therefore, I focused on those controllables while I let Him focus on the uncontrollables.
Following many years of caregiving as a mother and daughter, I was freed from those primary obligations in 2019. At that time, my career was on the journey to Nowhere Land, and over the years, I knew that no one was going to save me. It as up to me to figure out how to grow and thrive in a competitive world where the underdog gets buried. Basically, my future depended on me alone.
As I figured out “what’s next,” I continued to design interiors for clients that followed me from my W2 job as well as new clients that came online. I continued to build relationships and grow until Covid, my first true test as a solopreneur. Since that time, I have learned what it takes to be an effective business owner growing a design business in two cities: one successfully, one not so much. Variables and strategic planning set the course to success. Otherwise, spaghetti on the wall just gets messy.
While I’m now re-establishing and re-branding my business, I have learned that life is “by design.” We design it for how we want to feel, love, and thrive. That requires faith, a vision, and strategic planning. No pots of pasta allowed in an effective business world.
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?
While I knew how to design and had been doing it roughly 15 years, I had no idea how to run a business. That aspect plus the growing tech requirements and doing it all alone presented the biggest challenges. I have a master’s degree in the life of hard knocks. I am better equipped for traveling the road less travelled.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Heart of the Home Styling and Designs?
Heart of the Home Styling & Designs initially began under a different name: K&B Staging & Designs. From the beginning, my firm has specialized in kitchen and bath design and renovations. The difference? We cater to demographics preparing to enter life’s next chapter, and cater to their changing needs with a dedicated, more personalized approach to design. We’re custom in our service vs. high volume retailers and designers. Why? Because we understand life’s transitions are stressful, and our goal is to help alleviate design decisions that overwhelm homeowners and home investors who are trying to move forward.
Heart of the Home Styling & Designs also offers resale and investment home staging for homeowners advancing to the next stage of life. We provide whole home short-term rental designs from concepts to completion as well as occupied staging for those who want to maximize their profits for a future home investment.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I believe business is the foundation for giving to others. If we serve the needs and pain points of those we most identify with, our solutions come back to us not only in profit, but also in personal gratification that inspires us, as business owners, to serve even greater through unique services and processes that advance our businesses and our giving to a greater extent. That’s the great divide between an operative business and a thriving business. My goal is to continue to serve, not just sell.
Pricing:
- based on scope of work requested
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heartofhomedesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn_m_lackey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allaboutkitchensandbaths/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-lackey-32b85071/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEuSYTX4iL4&t=12s
Image Credits
I will need to provide these photos at a later time to collect.
