Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Teouna Thomas . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Teouna , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Everyone has their own perspective on success. In my view, success begins with a dream and a passion for your aspirations. When you decide to turn that dream into reality, hold on to the initial motivation that inspired you to start. This drive will sustain you through challenges and delays. Personally, my determination stems from a conversation I had as a foster child with a caseworker who mentioned a potential negative outcome. At just 11 years old, I recognized the inadequacy of such discouraging words from an adult figure meant to offer support. This encounter motivated me to prove her wrong and has been my guiding force ever since. I am committed to pursuing my dreams and overcoming life’s challenges with unwavering resolve. This declaration has since served as the cornerstone of my perseverance, propelling me to relentlessly pursue my aspirations despite life’s myriad challenges and setbacks. Every obstacle I’ve faced has been a steppingstone, shaping my resilience and determination. The journey has not been easy, but it has been profoundly rewarding. Along the way, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about persistence, self-belief, and the importance of a supportive community.
Surrounding myself with positive influences and mentors who believe in my potential has been crucial. They have provided guidance, encouragement, and the occasional tough love needed to stay on track. I’ve also discovered that success is not a solitary endeavor; it’s a collective achievement that thrives on collaboration and mutual growth.
As I continue to chase my dreams, I remain committed to paying it forward. I strive to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for others who might be walking a similar path. By sharing my story, I hope to remind them that no matter the odds, their dreams are valid and attainable.
Ultimately, success is not just about reaching the destination but also about appreciating the journey. It’s about celebrating small victories, learning from failures, and constantly evolving. With each step forward, I am reminded of that pivotal conversation and how far I’ve come. And with each new challenge, I am ready to face it head-on, knowing that my journey is far from over and that the best is yet to come.

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?

I am the proud owner and chief designer at Stellar Interiors by Teouna. Four years ago, my husband and I relocated to the Austin area. At that time, I was working full-time as a Technical Business Analyst in the corporate world. Interior design has always been my passion since childhood, so I aspired to establish my own design firm rather than remain in the corporate environment. Despite valuing the skills acquired during my corporate 20-year tenure, I was determined not to abandon my dream. Encouraged by positive feedback from friends and inspired by designing my personal living space, I decided to pursue my dream in interior design. Balancing my corporate job with my design business for about 3.5 years was challenging, prompting me to ultimately choose between the two. With a leap of faith, I prioritized my dream and have never looked back. While entrepreneurship demands significantly more effort than working for others, I’m still enjoying every minute of the journey. Meeting new clients and helping them create unique and personalized living spaces energizes me. Our firm offers full-service design services, managing projects from start to finish to save clients time and prevent costly mistakes. Each project is approached with gratitude for our clients’ trust. In today’s financial landscape, maximizing returns on investments is crucial, and we strive to deliver results that exceed expectations. Although hiring a designer may not suit everyone, we endeavor to maintain reasonable costs for interested clients. Our dedication to listening to clients and actualizing their visions sets us apart. By prioritizing understanding clients’ needs, preferences, and dislikes through detailed questionnaires and discovery processes, we ensure that each project reflects their dreams. Leveraging our expertise, creativity, and industry knowledge, we elevate their visions to new heights. I look forward to what the future holds, until then I’ll just continue to enjoy the journey.

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

I would definitely say it’s the look I see on my client’s faces when they see the finished design. It’s even better when their children love the results as well. I learned long time ago, if you want the truth, just ask a kid! Overall, it’s the joy of knowing my hands and creativity accomplished something that brought someone else happiness.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had to take a break for about 4-5 months at one point due to a tragedy in my family. It was hard not doing what I love while at the same time hard to do what I love. During my months away, I had to remember why I decided to pursue my dream in the first place. Still enduring the pain of that tragedy, I decided to just start taking baby steps in continuing my pursuit. I knew that life has been and will always be unpredictable. I knew if I let this hinder me, life would always give me a reason to quit on myself. I had to fight through my pain, and disappointment. I used the pain as fuel for my motivation. The race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure to the end!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stellarinteriorsbyteouna.com/?fbclid=IwAR06_drGDMLyBhls6kiiQrJUO-7G0LWmRYecAJ1zWeWkdC0PlxAB75wuGOA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellarinteriorsbyteouna/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stellarinteriorsbyteouna
• Other: email: [email protected]