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

Alright, Katie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I love this question, as designers so much of what we do is take things from ideas to execution, and launching Slate Studios was no different! My background is in Interior Design. My love for design started at a young age from painting and stuccoing walls with my dad. I studied Interior Design in college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and after school, I spent over a decade in the Hospitality Design field. Then, I was immersed in a smaller family-run firm, I wore multiple hats – from Interior Designer to Project Manager, Team Lead, and eventually a Sales Position. I loved the Sales role because I got to focus on being the liaison between the job site and our internal office, yet, as I spent countless nights on the road, the glamour of sales began to lose its shine.

Eating alone at restaurants and in hotel rooms during my travels, I reflected on my life and the importance of home. The realization hit me that I was no longer pursuing my passion for design and creating spaces that truly make a difference. I felt the calling to launch my design firm. It had always been a dream of mine and after the years of experience I gathered in the industry, I wondered if the timing was right.

Fears held me back – the uncertainty of enough projects to sustain a business, the prospect of leaving a stable salary. Despite my lack of passion in my sales position, I persisted until 2020. Then, like many other people, the global upheaval caused by COVID-19 prompted a deep reevaluation of my life. In July 2020, I met the love of my life and became a bonus mom, creating a support system that had been missing.

Finally, with the feeling that it’s now or never, and the love and backing of my newfound family, I took the leap into entrepreneurship. In October 2020, I signed up for an LLC, marking the official start of my design firm. Since then, I haven’t looked back, driven by the passion to create spaces that go beyond aesthetics. At Slate Studios, we create designs with soul and personality to truly provide an impact on the lives and well-being of people who live there.

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

I would love to! As an entrepreneur, my company, Slate Studios is my true passion. I wake up every day, thankful that I get to do what I love for a living.0 Aside from Slate Studios, I am a creative person, I love art, fashion, music, cooking, traveling to new places, and discovering new restaurants and experiences. Life is short, and I truly believe in the joie de vivre, to simply enjoy living your life! To me, having a beautiful space enhances this feeling of joy, making everyday moments special.

At Slate Studios, we understand how to bring joy through a well-designed space. Our focus is on crafting soulful and authentic spaces that resonate with the lives and histories of our clients throughout the Tampa Bay area. I believe that every home has a unique story to tell, a narrative woven by the people who live there.

In the fast-paced lives of busy professionals, we recognize that taking on a design project can be overwhelming. That’s where Slate Studios steps in, offering a luxury VIP Design experience tailored to your needs. Our mission is to create spaces that evolve with you, blending your style, personality, family needs, history, and lifestyle into the design.

I am a total type A personality, I love design because it involves creativity but also logic, mathematics, and orchestrating many moving parts for a successful outcome. That is why our flagship offering is our white-glove Full-Service experience, where we take care of every detail, from design conceptualization to liaising with contractors, ensuring a seamless and stress-free journey for our clients, leaving them free to sit back and sip champagne while we do the heavy lifting.

I also believe that good design should be accessible and understand that not everyone may have the budget for a full-service design, so we also provide a Virtual/DIY design option. This is for my clients who have the time and know-how to roll up their sleeves and execute a carefully prepared design on their own.

In my years, I have gained the confidence to stay true to myself. I love being authentically me, and I encourage my clients to live that way as well. Therefore, what sets Slate Studios apart is our unwavering commitment to authenticity, weaving together the threads of our client’s past and present to create spaces that truly feel like home.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I am always learning, growing, and striving to run a better business to provide the best experience to my clients. A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the transition from commercial and hospitality design to residential design. The backstory lies in the realization of just how different and emotionally charged residential design can be. Unlike commercial projects, residential design involves people’s homes, their family, life savings, and the potential upheaval of their daily routines during renovations.

The most profound shift came in understanding the depth of emotion involved in designing someone’s home. It goes beyond mere aesthetics; it touches on the very essence of their lives and challenges intensify during the execution phase. This is when construction, supply chain delays, installer setbacks, and production hiccups become inevitable hurdles. The sequencing of a residential project is delicate, and any deviation can lead to stress and frustration for the clients.

The truth is, residential design can get stressful and challenging. Construction is inherently tough, and unforeseen issues can disrupt the planned timeline. However, we navigate these challenges with a sense of responsibility and empathy. We understand the significance of being there for our clients when things get tough, providing support and reassurance throughout the process.

In the end, the journey may not always be smooth (or enjoyable every step of the way), but the fulfillment comes from witnessing the transformation of a house into a home, once the chaos dies down, the project is finished, and the space is ready to be enjoyed. The lesson learned is that the residential design landscape requires a unique set of skills, a deep understanding of emotions, and a commitment to integrity and transparency.

Any advice for managing a team?

Oh, I am such a mama bear when it comes to my team! I love to watch my teammates grow and thrive, and maintaining high morale is a core principle at Slate Studios. After years spent managing teams prior to Slate Studios and watching turnover at firms I have previously worked for, I understand the importance of happy employees, it makes all the difference. This philosophy extends to our valued partners, trades, contractors, installers, vendors, and everyone involved in our projects.

I prioritize fostering a culture that balances hard work and celebration. Given the nature of our work involving long hours, stressful situations, and continuous problem-solving, maintaining high morale is so important. We place a strong emphasis on supporting each other and taking the time to acknowledge and celebrate our victories and successes. Recognizing and appreciating the collective effort goes back to finding joy in the moment. I never want to be so busy that we forget to celebrate our success no matter how big or small.

As designers, it’s so important for us to recharge our batteries and our creative juices. Attending trade shows, high-point furniture market, art galleries, local events, CEUs, and design workshops are integral to our approach. These activities not only expose us to new products and innovations in the field but also provide valuable moments to appreciate and immerse ourselves in the world of design. These breaks allow our team to recharge their creative juices, bringing fresh perspectives to our projects.

I believe maintaining high morale involves creating a supportive and celebratory environment, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to recharge and stay inspired.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.slatestudiosid.com
• Instagram: @slatestudiosid
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slatestudiosid

Image Credits
Gerardo Luna Photography Karisa Denae Photography