We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Carisha Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Carisha below.

Hi Carisha, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)
As a new artist and designer, I was traveling all over the city doing arts and crafts shows. Almost every other month, I was doing a new show. Those shows were expensive to participate in, and not all of them were tailored to my audience. As a new artist, you are just so eager to get your work out there that you will do whatever it takes. I would work 40+ hour weeks and then do shows all weekend. It was madness. While persistence is a noble thing, persistence without wisdom is not productive. This was one of the worst moves that I ever made, as it was so much time and money wasted early on. If I could tell my twenty-something self then what I have learned today, it would be focus on finding your market and client base and then proceed accordingly. You live and you learn though. I am grateful for those past experiences because they made me into the business owner and artist that I am today.

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 am a Dallas area artist that strives to create art and home decor that transforms spaces. My catalog of services for companies and clients alike for the past decade have spanned from interior decorating and home staging, to creating and designing home decor and fine art. A former public school teacher and coach, I started my company in 2013 with a $5,000 investment and a prayer. For 8 years I successfully owned and operated my company, Ahava Home, and my artwork and designs even landed on the shelves of some of the world’s premier luxury home good retailers, Nordstrom and West Elm. In 2021, I decided to rebrand, simplify my company and to move from the busy hustle and bustle of designing all around town back to more of what I enjoy doing the most- creating.

I think that I am most proud of doing this organically. I did not have any handouts or outrageous capital to start. I was a struggling school teacher with a dream and a vision. If I can do it, anyone can.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Just because someone doesn’t buy it, doesn’t mean that whatever it is is not great. It is easy to equate the worth of our work with the responses of the audiences around us, but it is so unhealthy. I would have shows sometimes and not sell one piece. I would leave discouraged and feel like I needed to change my entire style. I would then try to come up with the next best thing. But, it was another artist and mentor of mine that reminded me of a truth that I have stuck with now for years. Our art and designs are not for everyone. Evolve and keep growing in your techniques and style, but refrain from the foolery of constantly changing to fit the likes of everyone. When I truly got a hold of that wisdom, the trajectory of my art and design changed. My audience and clients like my style and versatility to move across mediums as an artist, and that’s what matters. Not everyone likes my style, and thats ok. Don’t let others distaste for your style mess up your flow or stop you from creating.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding thing is to see my work become a part of someone else’s space and story. I love getting to know my clients and then tailoring my art and design to them. Every single client is special to me and I am always honored to be the artist and designer that they chose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carishadavis.com
• Instagram: @carishadavisart

Image Credits
I have certified rights to all images uploaded.