Today we’d like to introduce you to Thayná Alves.
Hi Thayná, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and raised in New York. In 2006, I went to FIT and studied photography. After graduating with a BFA, I found myself looking for work in my field during a recession. It was a struggle! I ended up taking a seasonal summer job working for a UK clothing company, Topshop. I had no intentions of working in retail at the time but because they were new to the US, I saw opportunities of growth and ran with it. I started on the sales floor and quickly found my place in the creative team.
The role involved ripping the store apart to the bones and then putting it back together over the course of a few overnight shifts. It was the hardest work I’d ever done but I was able to get my hands dirty, was allowed creative freedom, and got to travel. After seven years at the company, I was ready for something new so I quit my job.
The search for what was next was on. Around the time I left, a good friend of mine bought a house. She saw what I did at my previous job and made such a simple connection. She told me, “Just do what you did but in homes.” After completing her home, one thing led to another and I was booking a bunch of work. Her house became like walking through my live portfolio, and by word of mouth the side hustle became a career. Four years later, I’m still very much a small business but I can see a career path.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Most definitely not smooth. But that’s what makes the trip worth it. I can’t imagine learning this much if it was just handed to me. As a brown immigrant woman nothing was ever just handed to me. It takes falling a few million times, paying for it, and then getting back up. I am where I am because of the support I have around me. I’m truly blessed in the friend’s department. I have a wonderful group of girlfriends who believed in me before I could even believe in myself. My networking began with them. They continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. The power we have when women unite and support each other is unreal. My biggest take away in my journey so far is when we support one another, we thrive.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Curator LA. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are an Interior Design studio that focuses on remodels, furnishing and special projects. My goal for The Curator is to work with more women. Women contractors, handy(wo)man, painters, landscapers, etc. In such a male-dominated field, I want to help support us. Just like I have the support of my girlfriends. So send your referrals my way!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I can’t imagine what the future holds for the Interior design world. Fortunately, my field grew massively during the pandemic. We have been truly blessed. It’s been non-stop. The future sure looks brighter.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://thecuratorla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyalves
