Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crystal Davis . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Crystal , appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
I came up with the name of my business before I was ready or prepared to start. I wasn’t even sure the details of what type of services my business would deliver to the market. However, I knew that I wanted to reflect on the places I’ve lived and my culture that influenced my passion. I was born in south Louisiana, to a creole mom who grew up outside of New Orleans. I have been infatuated with New Orleans since I was a small girl. Then at 18, I moved away to the big city of Louisville, Kentucky. New Orleans and Louisville are sister cities and share the same emblem, the Fleur de Lis. I wanted to mesh the two places I’ve lived and loved. The name Fleur de Ceiling Creative felt like the ideal way to honor my family history while giving some innuendo to the industry that I work within.
Crystal , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Fleur de Ceiling Creative is a multi-service business that provides a customized staging experience specific for the needs of each individual home. I offer the obvious full vacant home staging options, however what sets FdCC apart is that we stage homes for owner-occupied residences also. I take what the homeowner currently has within the home and maximize it to their potential to help get their home prepped for photos, open houses, and set them up for more offers! The business thrives on being flexible and creative, and there are even options for furniture, art, plant and accessory rentals. I offer for both owner-occupied and vacant homes: pre-packing services, light interior wall painting, as well as cleaning services. I found that providing these additional services truly helped me produce the highest quality end product as well as help the real estate team ensure that the property is ready and prepped for market. This streamlined process really makes it easier on the homeowner and the agent alike by eliminating the hassle of managing services from 2-3 different vendors.
In addition to staging homes, I work with real estate investors on designing spaces for renovations and remodels, I also offer AirBnB/vacation home sourcing. Fleur de Ceiling Creative is a collaborative business that prides itself with the highest level of communication, integrity, and quality. I use local artist and artisans from Durham and Chapel Hill area to showcase and promote their artwork as well. This business has provided so much joy, working with my right brain has been a welcomed change of pace!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In the very beginning of Fleur de Ceiling Creative I was offering 3D renderings as a part of my packages. Honestly, I hated creating them. I would have anxiety around any project that involved using the software. The technology behind 3D renderings took me months and months to become marginally better than a novice. I found no joy in working this part of my business and often felt burdened by them when I did land one or two jobs for it. I also realized that because I was so inefficient with the software, I was not making any profit on the orders. I realized I needed to pivot. I took a step back and thought, “why did I start this business in the first place?” I started it so that I could feel enjoyment and be creative again. I needed the emotional stimulation, the spike of dopamine that I get when I complete a job and it’s uniquely special. So, I decided to do what I do best. I leaned into what I am good at. I love problem solving, I love being on the go and being physical. I do what is necessary to get that space looking its best and by all means necessary. If I have to patch some holes and touch up some paint for the room to be Pinterest worthy, then that’s what I am going to offer!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I was growing up, I remember feeling this pressure to make a sensible decision. Go to college, get a degree, work that job for the REST OF YOUR LIFE! I had always wanted to be an interior designer from the time I was a young girl watching Trading Spaces. I remember the thrill of seeing them piece together these wild ideas, problem solving these awkward spaces, and threading the needle between the design and the budget. It was my turn to adult, and while in my first year of college I felt the immense amount of pressure from elders in my family to be in healthcare. “You’ll always have a job.” “You will have a steady income.” “It will be a dependable way to make a living.” What I heard was “Money over happiness.” So, I changed my path and off to become a Dental Hygienist I went. 15 years in dentistry has been the “dependable way to make a living” without a doubt. It addresses my need to problem solve, but it has never fulfilled that yearning and need I have to create. Creating and actualizing an authentic vision into a beautiful space within a home, the most sacred space, is the ultimate reward. No matter how hard I have tried, I have never felt as fulfilled within my successful healthcare career as I have within my business. The lesson I had to learn here was that working one job for the rest of your life is not the ONLY way to be successful. I mostly had to unlearn my long held and problematic belief systems imposed by society around traditionally held ideas of “careers and work ethic”. My main take away from both of my careers has been-as cliche as it sounds. Life is short, you only have one to live, spend it doing what you love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: fleur_de_ceiling_creative
- Facebook: Fleur De Ceiling Creative
- Other: *website under construction. Feel free to reach out at [email protected] for more information.
Image Credits
Gui Rimkevicius