We recently connected with Susie St John and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

This goes out to all the parents of challenging kids. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Stay the path. Stay firm. Stay loving.

Itchy dresses. Tight underwear. Dyslexic. Lost in the clouds. Asthmatic. Uncoordinated. Shy. Uber sensitive. That was me as a kid.

Thinking of better ways to do things. Reading parenting books. Being positive. Telling me all the positive stuff. Telling me I was her biggest fan. Supporting me. Always. That was my mom as a kid.

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

I’m an interior designer. And I have Barbie to thank for getting me here. As a kid, I designed her home with a marble staircase straight out of the 1980’s TV drama called Dynasty. I even built her a mid-century covered parking structure for her pink convertible Corvette. Vroom vroom!

Full disclosure. I started as a fashion merchandising major in college. Then I realized the department stores display windows were just not big enough for my room design ideas… plus I had no sewing talent, ekk!

As an interior designer, I know how hard it is being a homeowner, remodeling + trying to pick between what you love + what you can afford because I recently built my own home. The choices are endless. Deciding where to save + where to spend is mind boggling. Insert me. Voile! The remodel is much smoother + remarkable!

My goal is to design affordable remarkable spaces that will MAKE LIFE EASIER! Design homes that are MADE TO LAST rather than be replaced! design spaces that will make you FEEL LIKE THE BEST YOU!

Have you ever had to pivot?

Early in my interior design career, I wanted to quit. I was tired of the politics, pulling all nighters, playing games with the building department. So, I quit.

I went to work for a family friend’s flower shoppe. What could go wrong? I’m just playing with flowers, right? Wrong. I quickly learned politics and playing games are everywhere.

I realized I needed to grow up + figure out “what drove me?”. Was it the projects? the learning? the advancement? the people? the recognition? being mentored? mentoring others?

I figured it out. It was the happy syrup that poured over me watching my clients see their dreams come fruition. I love creating remarkable impactful spaces that improve our well being. That’s what keeps me going.

The politics. The games. They’re all still there. I simply choice to look past them. And remember the happy syrup.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Early on when I started my design studio, I took on every project that came my way. No matter what the size. No matter what the bad vibes the client gave me.

I learned + grew leaps + bounds by doing this. These lessons where priceless + I don’t regret any of it because it is out of these lessons that I created boundaries, policies, payment structure based on % of completion. And to follow my instincts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.embriodesignstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embriodesignstudio/

Image Credits
Michele Weiss Creative