We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kalisha Price a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kalisha thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?
In college (and even post college), I learned a crucial lesson about the power of pivoting. I was a senior at Parsons in New York City, deeply immersed in a design project, passionately following a concept for a womenswear collection for my senior final. However, as the project unfolded, unforeseen challenges arose, time was running out, the fabric I planned to use was no longer available, and the initial approach proved impractical. Faced with this unexpected hurdle, I had to reassess and pivot.
The pivotal moment occurred during a late-night brainstorming session in the lab. Surrounded by cutting boards and sewing machines, I realized that embracing change was not a sign of failure but a strategic move toward success. My new collection came out better than the original designs. I learned that adaptability and the willingness to pivot could lead to innovative solutions and unexpected opportunities.
This lesson has been a guiding force throughout my journey, from navigating academic challenges to overcoming professional obstacles. It was something I had to embrace again when I had to pivot careers, from fashion designer to interior design. It instilled in me the importance of staying agile, open-minded, and resilient, traits that have not only shaped my personal growth but have become integral to my approach in tackling any endeavor. The ability to pivot is not just a skill but a mindset that fosters creativity and propels me forward on my journey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My journey to finding my purpose in interior design and becoming a wellness coach was a deeply personal and transformative one. It all began with my own battle against endometriosis, a condition that left me physically and emotionally drained, searching for a path to healing. I tried countless treatments and while some provided temporary relief, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be more to healing than simply managing symptoms for the rest of my life.
In my quest for a more holistic approach, I stumbled upon the profound impact that our environment can have on our well-being. I realized that our surroundings, the spaces we inhabit daily, can either support or hinder our journey toward healing. This revelation sparked a passion within me to delve into the world of interior design, but with a unique focus – wellness-focused interior design.
As I explored this new path, I unearthed the power of creating spaces that nurture physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Designing environments that offered comfort, tranquility, and a sense of empowerment became my mission. I understood that every aspect of a space, from color choices to furniture arrangements, could contribute to a person’s sense of peace, healing, and hope.
Through extensive research and education, I honed my skills in interior design with a specific focus on how design principles could positively impact the mental well-being of a person, especially, the lives of people living with chronic illnesses. This newfound expertise allows me to offer not just aesthetically pleasing spaces, but also healing environments that can support one’s journey to wellness.
Moreover, my own experience with endometriosis and the strenuous path to healing served as a powerful motivator. I felt a deep sense of responsibility to share my knowledge and support other women who were navigating similar challenges. After experiencing major healing and results within my own body, I couldn’t keep this to myself. I will now be offering a group coaching program to help women heal from endometriosis and get back to living a full life. It is not just about designing beautiful spaces; it is about providing a lifeline to those who need it most.
My purpose crystallized as I began going through my coaching certification program and working with women, witnessing the transformation that occurred when they were surrounded by love and in an environment that supported their well-being. The healing, both physical and emotional, that they experienced was profound, and it filled me with a sense of fulfillment and purpose like never before.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Grab your tea and get comfortable!!
I started my fashion business because I wanted to share with the world my passion for making women feel seen and beautiful from the inside out. I launched my brand, formerly known as K. RaShaé, in New York City, April 2016, as a luxury womenswear brand. Man, did I learn A LOT during those years!
I always say experience is the best teacher. Those years taught me what NOT to do in business, to stop people pleasing, create my own lane, and to own what’s true to who I really am. It took some hella expensive mistakes, some ended relationships, and a lot of growing up and maturing.
Launching a luxury brand is the easy part. It’s the part after the products are made where things get hard. A few short months after launching, I had a cover shoot with the cast of STARZ hit TV show, Power, featured in Sports Illustrated and WWD, showed in NY, LA, and Paris Fashion Week to name a few and many other great things in between. Things looked great from the outside looking in. Oooh but trust, it was not as glamorous as it seemed.
I didn’t know where my next check was going to come because clothes weren’t selling, PR was draining my account, and celebrities wanted clothes for free…then to top things off my logo was stolen by a reality tv star I had recently met and gave a business card to. And of course, I didn’t have the funds to fight it in court.
This is where I wanted to throw in the towel but I couldn’t because I didn’t want to feel like a failure. Too much money would have been wasted and I didn’t want to disappoint my family and friends. But I soon learned that there are no failures, unless you completely stop. It was just lessons learned and time to pivot.
From K. RaShaé to K. Price…
It’s been suggested to me plenty of times about changing the name of my business but I ignored it…being stubborn and emotionally attached.
I always had this vision of being a complete lifestyle brand offering clothing and home goods. I couldn’t let something as simple as a name hold me back from all God had for me. So here we are, officially rebranded, and I am loving everything about it. My brand AND my life is simply evolving and I am so thankful for all the tough lessons learned. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been cultivating strong relationships through word of mouth and referrals. Delivering exceptional service and exceeding client expectations not only fosters client satisfaction but also prompts them to recommend my services to others. Building a reputation for reliability, quality, and personalized attention has consistently attracted new clients who are seeking trustworthy and highly recommended services.
Additionally, maintaining an active and engaging online presence, including social media (which I could do a better job in this department), and a professional website, has complemented this strategy by showcasing my work and creating a platform for potential clients to discover and connect with my services.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kpriceinteriors.com/ https://kpricecollection.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kpriceinteriors/ https://www.instagram.com/kpricecollection
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpriceinteriors https://www.facebook.com/kpricecollection
Image Credits
Corey Ray, Hunter Avery, Kelly Christine Sutton