Hidden Gems: Meet Nicole Manuel of Babe & Company Designs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Manuel.

Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Small town girl from Lake Charles, Louisiana, a town so small you can tour it in 30 minutes top.

After high school, I ventured into multiple careers, I owned my own salon at the age of 23. I went to nail school and sis nails, I mean I dabbled in it all.

However, I always had a love for fashion and furniture. My home always had to have the latest, if you know what I mean. I moved to Houston, Texas and I slowly started to build my following and clientele. It was times when I was only making one sale a month or getting one client a year. However, I never allowed my circumstances to sidetrack me from my dreams.

Around 2017, I experienced a major loss with losing my job, my car was up for repossession and my apartment was up for eviction. I made the decision to move back to my hometown with my mother, and from there God begin working. I was blessed with a great job in the refinery driving (Yes, I have my CDL) lol.

So I would use all of my extra money to invest back into my business. With those funds, I was able to secure a 1000 sq ft location for my design-furniture studio. I worked my butt off for 3 months straight and here we were loaded with no space for our showroom because orders filled the entire store. God whispered INCREASE, and it was time for a new location.

In the process of shopping for a new storefront, we experienced a horrific hurricane. Hurricane Laura hit lake Charles in August and demolished everything we had worked so hard to get. But I knew my story wasn’t finished there. God replaced everything times 10.

By November we were moving into a 5000 sq feet location inside of a mall! The excitement that filled me to change lives was just beginning. I was able to provide jobs and help so many families by getting what they needed when they needed it!

Fast forward we are moving and launching our business in Houston, Texas, and a remote office in DTLA

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing comes perfect and for that, I’m grateful for my lessons.

The last five years of my life have been filled with trial and error and that’s okay. God has given me the ability and strength to adapt to whatever is thrown my way, so that’s what I do.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Babe & Company Designs LLC?
Babe & Company Designs is a luxury interior design studio, and furniture company. We specialize in creating chic spaces for millennials. We specialize in 2D & 3D renderings, luxury furniture pieces, and home decor. Plus we have a new collection of accent pillows and curtains coming soon.

We are known for our woman-driven aesthetic, mixed with neutral shades, fresh greenery, lush floral arrangements, and brightly colored furnishings.

What sets us apart from others is, that we aren’t your normal furniture company. And we don’t strive to be. Boring we could never be, you walk into our store and it feels like you stepped off the plane into an exotic island. Our pieces scream luxe and chic. Everyone knows if you’re looking for the hottest furniture you shop “THE BABE WAY”!

What I’m most proud of is the wide range of expertise I and my partner have. We provide interior design, home furnishing, home decor, photography, and our latest venture is properties for short-term stays and a luxe studio coming soon for all of your photography needs.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something surprising, well I would say that I’m actually a loner/introvert.

When you meet me I’m super happy and bubbly plus I love to have fun and make those around me happy. But I don’t mind spending the whole day at home with a glass of wine and a good binge of my favorite TV show.

Pricing:

• Renders start at $299
• Furniture Starting at $99
• Design Projects starting at $3999
• Photography starts at $299
• Studio Rental – Airbnb starts at $150

Contact Info:

• Email: Interiors@babeandcodesigns.com
• Website: www.babeandcodesigns.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/babeandcodesigns
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/babeandcodesigns
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCKUDN8a2kZTg1q54Cy1pk6g
• Other: https://portfolio.foyr.com/Luxe_Stylez_Design_Firm_By_Babe_and_Co

Image Credits
Kevonne Henderson @almarstudios or @kevstyle.z