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

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I thought this was such a fitting question in the discussion panel since we have the opportunity to host a college for a field trip.

I don’t know if I would necessarily change the education system but I think as people grow and change at different points in their life I would add to it. I appreciate the many educational institutes that have already opened up online learning possibilities. It made it much easier for me to return to classwork when I could take courses at my own pace from my home after all my prior responsibilities. An example of that is when I enrolled with the accredited QC Design School to pursue Interior Decorating. However, I would love if local colleges in my area had continuing education classes that could be taken perhaps in person in a classroom setting. I think it could open doors in the community to find people to network with and get to know people with similar interests. When I was of traditional college age my life carried me down a different path and I did not go to a school like Converse College. Now that I am older, wiser, and know exactly what I want to do with my life, I understand my purpose and want to give back and fulfill these dreams I would love the chance to take a course myself with a school like Converse

One change that is already taking place and I am so honored and humbled to be apart of it is that I was actually contacted by Converse College and asked if I would open up my retail design center to the Interior design students so they can visit and listen to our story of how we started and how the classroom is different from the real world experiences they will face. I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing and of course I said yes!
I am beyond words thrilled that even though I haven’t had an opportunity to attend this college that life has circled around and I am being given an opportunity to teach the students. What an outreach opportunity in the community this is!!

I recently watched a video about how different it was for an interior designer who sat in school and pulled together a concept all on her own without having to face real world issues then stated in the video it was such an eye opener when she took her first job about how many details and communication really take place in real life.

We plan to discuss things like consistent communication with vendors and other trades, working within a clients actual budget, how to handle delays, improper measurements, wrong orders, frustrated clients, making sure you get paid for your time and work and much more.

We are very excited that Converse College is taking steps to enlighten their students to see first hand how much more really goes on in the interior design world. I always say there is so much more to this career than pretty fabrics, fluffy pillows, and interior styling!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up I loved art and creating things, I remember making houses out of cardboard boxes and using crayons and paper to make wallpaper and rugs. Life took me down a different career path but eventually circled back around and I started following my dreams by taking online courses in Interior design/decorating. When I met my husband Heath he had recently left his career as a project manager for a local contractor and begin growing his own painting business. We blended our dreams to open our own remodeling company and did that successfully for a year and then moved on to open Blue Mist Paint and Flooring which we own and operate today.

Blue Mist Paint and Flooring is a full supplier of interior and exterior paint, paint sundries, interior and exterior stains. We offer flooring such as carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate, LVP and commercial grade vinyls and rugs as well as custom drapery, blinds and shutters. We also assist with interior design services to help bring your home to functional to fabulous.

We are the go company when customers need to solve problems around the home. With Heaths 20 years in the construction industry we can assist you in solving problems that occur from years of wear and tear, improper installation, or if you simply are ready for updating your look..

What sets us apart is we offer our vast knowledge in the products we sell to getting the materials properly installed for you. We stand behind our work offering guarantees and warranties. We will even provide a free quote and measurements.
Our design center is open to the public as well as a private appointment for full undivided attention at no additional charge. At Blue Mist you are welcomed with a personal greeting and you never have to look for someone to help you. We have a complementary coffee station, along with bottled water and even popcorn!
As an international certified color consultant I offer my expertise to help pull together your vision we have two spacious work areas where we can pull out displays of flooring, tile, paint and I even encourage customers to bring in items they wish to use such as fabrics and or wallpaper.

I am thankful for our families, community and our group of networking friends who support us and believe in us. I am most proud of Heath for strong drive and willingness to build our business and for putting up with all my shenanigans!

We want the community and surrounding communities to know that when you shop with us you are getting the best value in products, the most knowledgeable information and that we truly do care about you and your project and making sure your home is a reflection of you.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

After 20 plus years in the construction industry as a project manager, home inspector, kitchen and bath remodeling company and various trade skills such as flooring, paint, tile as well as growing up playing baseball from 6 years old through high school Heath decided his knees could no longer suffer that load. He decided to put his college business degree from Northwestern and skills and experience in finance to use and pivot the business to now be a supplier/distributor of home coverings. That is how Blue Mist Paint & Flooring became what it is today.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

We are still in our growing phase and we know to get the community to trust us we have to earn that. We are doing several things such as standing by our products we offer, practicing excellent communication skills, we are getting out of store and doing what’s called grass root marketing. Meaning we are getting out there and talking face to face with the remodelers, the builders, the tradesmen the contractors even designers and realtors,

We are offering delivery services to jobsites, we are getting involved in the community with our local news channel, radio, colleges and even sporting events. We are putting our real selves out there on our social media with no filters, just talking to people who are looking for better quality and better service and proving that we can provide that.

Contact Info:

• Website: Bluemistpaintandflooring.com
• Instagram: Bluemistpaintandflooring
• Facebook: Bluemistpaintandflooring
• Linkedin: Ashley Peterson
• Other: Ashley is part of a large growing network called Women of the Flooring Business and is getting ready to launch some children’s events around the community by reading the book “The House That She Built” and offering some crafts to go along with it as well as offering DIY classes in our retail store for homeowners wanting to learn flooring installation, paint and drywall skills.