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

Elisa, appreciate you joining us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

While in the early stages of starting the business, I received a phone call to be interviewed for a possible election, to participate in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League Designer Show House. It was the second month of starting a business, and here I am being invited for an interview. When it comes to participating in a Show House, the designer forefronts the funds, time, and designs for charity.

I had not had my first client and zero dollars to spend. The miracles came as follows: Within two weeks after the interview, I received a phone call to sit a cat for the holidays and at Christmas a gift of cash totaling up to seven-hundred dollars. Along with my continued prayers till this day of, “God, if you want this for me to do, then you need to show up and bring it. I cannot do it without you.” He did, and He continues to do so.

The room which was assigned to me was selected as the main feature of the Show House was a historic bathroom dating back to the 1800s with an installation of a copper tub. That tub was recognized by the Post and Courier and gained my first exposure in the Charleston Home & Design Magazine. Because funds were tight, I was blessed with other businesses that donated materials and services in exchange for marking recognition. This project brought me full circle. By utilizing the skills from my childhood years, I had to cosmetically transform the room due to “historic preservation guidelines” from something to nothing, with scissors, fabric, and a hot glue gun. That was the beginning of this journey for my business which till this day.

That first Show House was a springboard for my next innovation for the CSOL Show house on Hassell Street the following year. In that Show House, I was granted by Lowes Hardware a donation of money and sponsored local businesses to help transform three rooms that year. That Show House was the year that allowed me to win an Award for Best Room Design and which provided me an opportunity to be hired after, to redesign all eight Show house rooms for what is now called, The Parsonage.

The Parsonage which is owned by the Lutheran Church Saint Johannes became a wedding venue that today blesses dozens of brides each year, along with hosting many major private events for the Charleston City Council. God definitely has a hand in my business and I am honored that my work has blessed so many.

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 was just a matter of time before I would be building my own design /remodel business. Born into a Brazilian cultured family of entrepreneur contractors/roofers to be exact; design, and problem-solving client situations, were the headline topic at every family function. My father had the ability to draw blueprints for city permitting due to studying to be an architect. I grew up with a huge drawing board in our basement where I would sit next to him, questioning every design situation as to, “why he was adding plumbing to that location on the plans?” Due to my curiosity; he had taken the opportunity to recruit me by the age of 14 into the family business. I think it was a tradition since my grandfather recruited him and my uncles at a young age. There is where I learned how to rip up carpeting, take down baseboards, and paint walls properly, as well as the marketing techniques of inserting flyers for fifteen cents in mailboxes. (The gift of free labor, lol.)

My father, a talented artist, was also the first to teach me the basic skills of drawing and painting at a young age. Throughout the years, I have continued the hobby, by being self-taught in replicating copies of Monet and Degas paintings. By this practice it has formed, my immaculate skill for viewing form, color, and light from different perspectives. My mother, on the other hand, contributed to my design journey by teaching me how to transform a room with just construction paper and tape. Making something out of nothing, by the tips in her large Martha Stewart Living and Better Homes and Garden Magazine collection. It was inevitable from within the family blood, that these gifts were just a stepping stone that would bring me to receive my Interior Design Degree as well as, working for reputable local architects and builders. Through my varied experience, I developed an astute understanding and deep compassion toward my clients when in the midst of projects.

I have currently refocused my brand to bring forward the focus on creating spaces that evoke emotion through the essence of the Brazilian spirit. This is not a trend, but a home full of passion, with a dramatic, elegant, modern, and sophisticated lifestyle.

Have you ever had to pivot?

We all have our ups and downs in life with family, financial burdens, and the economy. Unfortunately, I had to put the business on part-time more times than I ever intended. But, what I never have been able to let go of is this burning desire of wanting to share more of my gifts with others. It had taken me 12 years to finally be able to express my rebrand and allow it to come to life. Not conforming to following what others are doing in the industry is hard for some clients intake. And we designers, must do what is needed to please the client at times. I have found that doing so has not allowed me to bring my best creativity up to my full potential in the final design. That following other trends, styles for me personally has been a disservice to both myself and my clients.

Though, now is the time that I am giving up what has been haunting me, and taking a chance at a new expression.
This rebrand is still a work in progress, slowly growing but, I have learned it is believing in faith brings the unforeseen best stories in the journey.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Yes, some of the best entrepreneurial books I have read have really helped me to try and keep on track with my health, client interactions, and management.

Zig Ziglars: Born to Win
Mr. Shmooze, by Richard Abraham
Emily Posts The Etiquette Advantage in Business
John Maxells Leadership Podcasts
Dave Ramsey, Entreipreneurialship

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elisachristine.net
• Instagram: @elisachristineinteriors