We recently connected with Lucia Genao and have shared our conversation below.

Lucia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

In the wake of COVID, my position underwent changes prompting me to reflect on my career path and quality of life. So in 2021, my family and I decided to move from New York to North Carolina in search for a change in lifestyle. We had peace in our hearts that this was where God wanted us, so we made the move.
We moved into a community with amazing neighbors. One of them learned about my background in design and my love for uplifting spaces, including my own. They asked if I’d be interested in interior design projects. I said yes! An introduction was made, and the rest is history!

Pivoting into a new career, has taught me resilience and perseverance . It’s also taught me that you can start over at any age. If you’re scared, do it anyway. As Adam Grant once said, “Change carries risk: we might fail. But sticking to the status quo also brings risk: we might fail to grow.

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

It all began with my love for the creative at an early age. Growing up, I watched my dad build houses from scratch and was inspired by his creativity. When I was five, I began doodling (aka sketching) and dressing Barbie dolls. My innate love of art led me to study fashion at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. I became a fashion designer and worked in the industry for nearly two decades. I was incredibly blessed to apprentice at a couture house who taught me the meaning of quality, how to conduct proper fitting and garment finishing, the process of production, and color and composition. I indulged in everything from designing patterns to seeing them come to life in a garment on the runway. I got to work with lucrative clients in the industry and travelled all over Europe and Asia; it was clear to me that this was something I was passionate about.

I also love the arts. I enjoy painting with a focus on self-expression and color. With a natural eye for design and art, I found myself uplifting and elevating my own living space and also helping my friends and family transform theirs.

Making the move to North Carolina opened up a fresh career path. It gave me the opportunity to turn what I love into a vocation.

My style is luxe, chic, timeless yet functional for any space. Our approach is dynamic and thorough. We understand that our clients’ needs and preferences are unique. We curate and design each project based on the specific needs of our customers. It keeps us in a constant state of creative discovery.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of is taking the risk I did. It’s a reflection of my hard work and discipline. I would not have explored this new career path if I hadn’t taken that risk.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Growing up as a first generation Latina, I didn’t have the resources others did. I never grew up thinking I had less than others until I went away for college. New York City was a melting pot of cultures, social classes and financial status. I knew immediately that I had to work harder than my peers to get anywhere in my career. All this to say, the overall desire to thrive in any environment was instilled in me early in my life. If you asked me a few years ago if I ever saw myself doing anything other than fashion design, I would have said “absolutely not.” COVID completely changed that. Being a mother of two, I reflected on my overall quality of life and evaluated where my time and energy was expended. This is when I decided to pivot in my life and career all at once.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A profound lesson I am unlearning this season is the concept of ageism. The idea that life or an opportunity has passed you by and it’s too late. I’ve learned that life is an amazing opportunity to continue to learn and grow every day. My experiences in the past (professional and personal) have empowered me to walk in my authenticity today. We are conditioned to be “realistic” when things seem scary and different. However, what if it turns out better than you imagined? I have discovered that if you follow your uniquely designed path with full boldness, you not only succeed, but you thrive and inspire others to do the same. My story may not look like yours but it can be just as remarkable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luciagenaointeriors.com
• Instagram: @luciagenaointeriors

Image Credits
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