We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephanie Eatherly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2016, I had finally landed my dream job at a record label. I was a graphic designer and art director for some of the biggest names in Country Music: Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Kenny Chesney, and more. But I still had 1 box on my life’s “to-do list” that I had never checked off: to be on HGTV. I have been passionate about home design since I was 8 and started my craft of interior design by sketching house plans and trying to encapsulate Genevieve Gorder’s style and Ty Pennington’s know-how.
In 2021, I responded to a request for a designer on a tv show. I quickly put together a portfolio of work I had done to my own house and was hired that summer to be an Art Director on a Scott Brothers and HGTV production. It was the chance of a lifetime and after the positive response, I decided to quit my 9-5 and launch my own design studio. I know work 1-on-1 with clients to help re-design and remodel their home projects.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I have been involved in all sorts of arts and professions from graphic design, mix-media art, interior design, playing music (I was a drummer for several bands on and off in my 20’s), photography, real estate, real estate investing, home renovations, and running a nonprofit.
In real estate, I work with mainly first time homebuyers whoa re friends of mine – mainly in the music or hospitality industries. This created a niche that I was able to fall into pretty quickly. I can problem solve how to help them buy a home on a budget and make a smart investment. In 2020 on the heels of solid shut downs across Nashville and in the touring world, I found my friends struggling to afford living in Nashville. As someone who is so passionate about the music scene here and with the help of friends, I created Nashville Industry Fund: a nonprofit aimed at helping artists, musicians, and hospitality workers toward a pathway to homeownership. We offer free classes on finances, home buying, and will launch our down-payment assistant program this year.
I am most proud of the changes I have taken and given my parents something to be proud of. I don’t think they thought that someone could succeed in a creative field but now we get to enjoy my fruits together – from closing my first real estate deal with my dad and grandfather, to helping my mom build and design her dream home.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think that understanding how important art is to every day life is the most important thing. We consume others’ creativity daily and it should be respected and valued as such. We all watch tv, listen to music, live in homes built by someones hands, with decorated walls, we look at websites, and even album art or billboards; without the creatives behind making them, we would not be able to enjoy our daily functions as much as we do.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love getting to see what I think of in my mind come to life. Getting the printed package of a vinyl or cd that I designed, or getting the final photos from kitchen renovation makes everything worthwhile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sedesign.studio
- Instagram: @se.designco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephtotheanie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieeatherly/
- Other: https://sephotography21.pixieset.com/visiondesign/ https://www.nashvilleindustryfund.org @nashvilleindustryfund
Image Credits
Allison Elefante, Alisa Thayne