We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kassidy Searles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kassidy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

When I first made the decision to become an interior designer, a lot of my family did not agree. In society a lot of people look at interior designers as these people that retire and have fun creating beautiful decorated spaces. Nobody seem to understand all of the heavy detail and intricate task that went along with the title of interior designer.

When I became furloughed from my job due to Covid, I took this as a sign from God to move forward with my vision. I began taking my design career more serious. I became heavily more involved with creating my dream into a reality. With this, came the self criticism to not settle and listen to all the outside noise around me.

I honed in on my talents and skills. I invested heavily in my growth and development. I took partnership with skilled and tenured designers. Without the support of others within the design community, and being turned away by so many opportunities, I do not think Scorpio Design Firm would be a thing. But, everything happens for a reason.

Now SDF is a Houston based travel design firm that specializes in all levels of design. From drapery and window treatments to custom-built designs and more. We are continuing to expand our brand into a full design network that sources and hand-crafts some of the most timeless and unique pieces and designs.

Kassidy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I physically remember on my 16th birthday going to home goods with my mom‘s debit card in hand being able to purchase all of the pieces I wanted to create the new 16-year-old bedroom. This is one of my very first memories of when I knew I wanted to be an interior designer. Of course school in a wealth of employment history has all prepared me for the position that I have now.

My employment history consist of a lot of administrative in organizational task and responsibilities while working in multiple small business locations. But I think what really set me a part in the design industry is my employment history in custom drapery and upholstery. After working with custom services my whole perspective on design changed. I saw an area of expertise that a lot of designers were lacking, drapery and seamstry. While designers feared this aspect of design, I dove head first into it. From that point on I have been steadily educating myself and continuously growing my client base and design projects.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I do manufacture some of my products. All accent pillows and throws in my designs are manufactured and hand-crafted by me. Like I mentioned before I have a passion for seamstry and upholstery. With this my love for fabric developed. I began hand sewing accent pillows. In November 2021, my first pillow collection, The Scorpio Collection was released.

The vision behind this specific pillow collection was to highlight the side to me, a Scorpio, that most people don’t give us credit enough for. I learn to always be creative and create things that help individuals understand your point of view. More times than not people around you will relate to your point of view and support your honesty.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

When I first decided to venture into design I started with professional organization. I went posted ads on Facebook and Instagram and source my first set of clients. I organized pantries, closets, bedrooms, and more. but, I knew that my brand would be so much more.

The name scorpion design firm didn’t come till much later, which I’m actually happy it happened this way. Because when it was launched, everyone realized that my side hustle had officially turned into a business.

Contact Info:

• Website: Scorpiondesignfirm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scorpiondesignfirm/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/scorpiondesignfirm/
• Other: 15 percent pledge – https://15percentpledge.org/business/scorpion-design-firm-dgwhd6lsbg2utgrtfwgkl Start a Project – https://designfiles.co/questionnaire/scorpion-design-firm#1