We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristi Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristi below.

Hi Kristi, thanks for joining us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

Hi there, thank you Dan and Canvas Rebel for the opportunity to chat with you and share a little bit about my business. I have strong feelings about family business. I think in principal a family business can be a wonderful thing, however it has it’s challenges. If everyone is not on the same page for the growth and changes in the business this can create a lot of internal struggle. I come from a family business, my family is in the flooring business and I grew up around new home construction because of that. In order to avoid some of the pressures of the family business and to find my own path and passion, it was best for me to take some of what I learned in the family business and branch out on my own. Staying in a complimentary industry has allowed me to work with my family and get advice from my parents when starting out. I believe by going in my own direction and creating my own identity I avoided some of the emotional stress of working directly with family. If my boys loved this industry and wanted to be a part of it, I would be happy to help them or have them on my team, but if they want something different then that is what I want for them. I do work with my 18 year old son on our social media, and my husband is my right hand in everything about our business and I could not do it without him, so in that sense this is a family business.

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.

K. Smith Interiors is a full service, residential design firm. We have been in business for over 10 years, I have been in the industry for 30+ years. I was always the girl in the right place at the right time with the best work ethic. I grew up in the home builder industry, I work hard, my strengths have always been attention to detail and great communication skills. I was hired by a small design center when I was 21, and worked my way thru the industry to a luxury home design center specializing in high end homes on the coast, and then to a large, well known, design center working for multiple home builders. I consistently had top sales and client reviews. The companies that I worked for offered educational training opportunities, and I typically raised my hand first. I love learning and being in the industry as technology design tools were emerging I was able to learn as they evolved. I have worked with amazing model home designers and I was mentored by some of the best people in the home building industry. From superintendents and trades, to business leaders and executives, they all taught me valuable lessons that made K. Smith Interiors possible. We are most proud of our excellent client reviews and contractor relationships. We have done multiple homes for several of our clients, and we are honored to be asked back for new projects for our existing clients and their families. We believe our trade and vendor relationships are a partnership to ensure our overall customer satisfaction. Each project presents a unique design opportunity and no two clients are the same….how fantastic is that! To do what you love for work is the best, and we are dedicated to providing excellence in design and the highest degree of service.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One of my absolute favorite parts of this job is re-designing space. While some designers prefer only new design and build, which is nice, we do love a great remodel. I believe one of our strengths is seeing what the space can be, and remodel projects present certain challenges with existing conditions or possible limitations within the space. I find the time I get to spend sitting down with as built (existing plans) and working thru changes and variations within a space to be so satisfying. That quiet time with just space design is when I feel the most in the zone, it must be all of the construction job walk experience over the last 30 years. Once we design the space, then we apply the beautiful finishes and render what the space will turn into. It is really the best experience to see what you have imagined turn into something real and tangible. Finally, we get to present this to our client, not once but twice – first the design presentation with the renderings, and then again once the project comes to fruition!

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

Some people might be surprised to know I never intended to have my own business. I loved being a designer for a great firm, and was happy in that roll. However, as the builder market was changing around 2008, I was lucky to have a boss and mentor (Nancy G) advising me to be ready to pivot. This had prompted me to set up a small business LLC “just in case”. We were looking for opportunities to increase business to the design center, and I had some opportunity to collaborate with a great GC (brothers in fact) that needed help on a tricky remodel project in Laguna Beach for an investor. With the blessing of my boss, we took on some small outside projects with the brothers. Flash forward a few more years and it was time to jump! The important take away from this life lesson is the need to know “Business 101”. For me it was easy to be a designer, it is very different to be a business owner, and even more challenging to be both! I learned everything about running a business from doing it. Luckily, I have surrounded myself with smart business people willing to guide me and I am a quick learner. and hard worker. Now I tell my boys or anyone young person who will listen, take basic business classes. If you are a singer, a dentist, a cabinet maker, or a welder – you may be a business someday. I am the biggest believer in Business and Entrepreneurship, take control of your future, DESIGN YOUR LIFE!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ksmithinteriors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.smith_interiors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K.SmithInteriors
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-smith-4a644815/
• Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/ksmithinteriors/k-smith-interiors