We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Moore-Adair recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Without a doubt, I would not give up being a business owner for any corporate or “regular” job. Life is too short to perform a job or monotonous task that is not our passion. We should be striving every day to do what we love and be in a constant state of learning that skill or trade. Sure, there have been times when one month has been better than the next. Or you are out there heels to the ground making connections and closing deals. What other profession or job would have allowed me to take a full two months over the summer and just live in another state? This…this career choice of being self-employed allowed me to do that. I returned to my hometown of New Orleans for the summer, working remotely, and flying back once a month to check on construction projects. I returned to Florida with new memories shared between my two amazing children.

During my path of becoming an entrepreneur, I also was faced with going from a two-income family to a one-income family and seriously questioned if I could do this. Could this be sustainable and keep a roof over my head. If anything that experience has made me work harder and set even higher goals for myself. Owning your own business is not a 40 hour work week. It is late nights and often working on the weekends. But the flexibility and freedom I have is mine and no one can dictate where or how I work.

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

I am a born and raised New Orleans girl that somehow found her way to sunny Florida. Over the last 17 years, I have created a life here, made strong friendships, and built a successful interior design studio. My background includes time served in the United States Air Force and many years raising my children as a stay-at-home mom. Thankfully, I put that GI Bill to good use gaining my education and tools that would later prepare me for this little “crazy idea” of mine.

As my children got older, I realized that it was not cool to have mom at the field trips anymore or volunteering in the classroom. And as sad a realization that was for me it also propelled me into the next chapter of my life. In roughly a week, Southern Sass Interiors & More, LLC was born and I have not looked back. With a play on my Southern roots and no denying I am a bit of a sassy one the name was a no brainer. I threw myself into every networking group within a 20-mile radius I could find and attend. Seriously, nothing beats the old word of mouth and making connections with people in person. As the saying goes, “people refer who they know, like, and trust.” It is within those networking groups I have found my support, my cheerleaders, and strength to continue to push forward on the days you may want to give up.

Southern Sass Interiors & More is a residential and commercial design studio with a focus on kitchens and baths, whole home renovations, and custom new builds. It is Southern Sass’s mission to guide homeowners through a comfortable journey of uncovering their visions and bringing them to life. Our company is one of the few local design studios that offer clients a 3D rendering of their new proposed interior spaces. Prior to any demolition or new build beginning clients are able to view their layouts and material selections in 3D images.

In the short 3 years we have been in business, Southern Sass has formed a wonderful collaboration with individuals like Mechelle Thursby, owner/interior stylist of Love DECOR; is looking to hire two new employees; and will be entering into a partnership to open a kitchen and bath showroom in YBOR later this year.

We will continue to deliver clients the opposite of “cookie cutter” homes injecting a design that is representative of them and their family. We don’t follow the rules…we create them.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

On a personal level, the last 2 years of my life has been working through and adjusting to “Pivots”. I made the decision to separate and leave a 15-year marriage in pursuit of happiness. Not an easy decision to do as my spouse was the main bread winner and I greatly depended on his income. Southern Sass was in a period of growth and while I could see the potential and knew it would flourish one day; it was in the early stages when I decided to leave. My side hustle or just for fun money now became my main source of income. The thought of not succeeding or working under someone again was not an option. I HAD to make this business grow. I had to continue pursuing my passion and make this little design business profitable. By brainstorming with other fellow business members I trusted and looked up to I learned what changes were necessary. I made the right connections in business and fostered those relationships. Am I were I want to be at the moment? Not a 100 percent; however, I have set things in motion to be where I want to be very soon. And seeing that light at the end of the tunnel helps me realize my hard work and dedication will be rewarded.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My networking groups have been the absolute best source of new clients for me. It goes back to showing up for people, building those friendships, and honoring each other. Nothing can ever replace word of mouth referrals. I belong to chambers, 3 all female entrepreneur networking groups, and will soon be joining a Builders Association. Getting in front of people is the best thing you can possibly do to grow your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.southernsassinteriors.com
• Instagram: SOUTHERN_SASS_INTERIORS
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernSassInteriors

Image Credits
Made of Gold Media Howie Mac Photo