We recently connected with Tiffany Matthews and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tiffany thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

The business finances are structured to align with a Profit First model. From the outset, 10% of revenue has been designated for a “Giving” account. I manage finances on both a personal and business level, operating under the principle that 90% of incoming funds are mine to manage, while 10% is given as an expression of trust and surrender. One of the organizations benefiting from these donations is Let Them Live. The first time I encountered their mission statement, I was immediately supportive: “73% of women seek abortions due to financial strain. Let Them Live provides financial assistance to empower them to choose life instead.” Contributing to this cause is a tangible way to assist women facing challenging, life-changing decisions. Supporting these mothers financially can help with expenses such as medical visits, baby registry items, bills, food, education, job placement, housing, and counseling. It’s a chance to engage in a life-giving solution.

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

My passion for interior design has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Transitioning from interior design to business marketing in college was a challenging decision. After I graduated, this choice led me into the realm of corporate America, specifically to IT service sales. This role took me to Orange County, CA, where I found myself navigating a vast IT landscape that I had never envisioned for myself. This experience was transformative, allowing me to enhance my business skills and acumen through selling, networking, managing customer relationships, dealing with complex systems, tracking and managing orders, collaborating with industry partners, and honing my time management abilities. Additionally, the compensation was excellent, and I enjoyed living in a beautiful location. Three years later, I returned home to North Carolina to be closer to my family, as my job was virtual. Shortly after relocating, I met my husband. Once we got engaged, I transitioned from service sales to university recruiting. However, after just over a year in that position, I realized it was time for a change. Although I wish I had made that decision swiftly, I hesitated, ultimately having a negative affect on my health. After seven years with the company, I decided to move on. My husband often says we exchanged salary for sanity, and I wholeheartedly agree.

During my time in Orange County, I sought to nurture my creative side. I enrolled in a design school in Newport Beach to explore this passion. Although I was initially nervous, I discovered that this path felt much more natural for me than corporate sales. Unfortunately, I could only take a couple of classes before returning to NC, but it filled me with hope that I could work in the design field in the future. Working for a global company differs greatly from starting my own venture, yet my corporate experience instilled a confidence in running my design business that I would not have gained otherwise.

After leaving corporate America, it took me a few years to detox from that culture. My husband and I defined our own perspectives on wealth and success, identifying flexibility in our schedules as a key element. Neither of us was tied to a traditional 9-to-5 job, and we cherished that freedom. Even with my departure and a significant cut in income, our happiness and health improved immensely. Our spiritual lives flourished, our marriage strengthened, we became debt-free, and our net worth continued to rise.

During the transition between leaving corporate America and launching my own business, I immersed myself in serving at church, coaching a high school volleyball team, taking design classes, and flipping a few homes. It was only after having my first son in 2016 that a friend reached out to request my help in designing a homeschool room for her daughters. Although I wasn’t quite ready to dive in, her persistence paid off, and I’m grateful for it. Designing her homeschool room turned out to be a labor of love and the catalyst for Motif Homes. Since then, I’ve received numerous referrals from this wonderful family.

In 2018, Motif Homes was officially established! I wish I could say I launched it with a bang and never looked back, but it’s essential to acknowledge that entrepreneurship is incredibly hard work and building a new business takes time. I have invested in systems and processes, business coaching, completed a two-year leadership development course, and brought on a team member. Yet, my business is still in its infancy and hasn’t fully taken off. However, I do not consider myself unsuccessful. I show up every day with intention, praying for guidance, and remaining present, persistent, and committed to excellence. I see myself as a success story in progress, and through my prayers, I keep hearing, “Slow and steady wins the race.” I continue to move steadily forward to win my race.

Today, Motif Homes is a full-service residential interior design firm based in Greensboro, NC. We help families embrace intentional living by creating comfortable, calm, and fresh living spaces. Our process involves customizing designs that cater to each family’s needs with creativity and care.

While this journey has not been easy, I am thrilled to continue on this path and excited to see where it leads!

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

A crucial lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that “there is only one way to do business.” When I first started, I was searching for that elusive “only way.” However, I quickly realized this mindset prevented me from considering new ideas. The truth is, I had a lot to learn—and I still do—but I wasn’t allowing myself to connect with what truly resonates with me. This is the beauty of entrepreneurship: you are sharing a significant part of yourself with the world. To overcome my limited perspective, I understood the importance of establishing guardrails, rather than roadblocks, around my business and its structure.

As an Enneagram 1, I tend to be a perfectionist who sees things in black and white, right and wrong. What I’ve come to understand is that business, particularly in the realm of entrepreneurship, is far from clear-cut. Even with guardrails in place, I’m open to new ideas. If they clash with my established boundaries and don’t fit, I can easily adjust my course. Surprisingly, there is freedom in not feeling obligated to implement every new concept, as well as in the ability to explore different possibilities.

For those just starting a business, I encourage you to seek out someone who is well ahead of you in their journey. Follow them on social media, explore their website, and engage in conversations to learn about their lessons. Each individual brings a unique perspective to the business landscape, and that diversity is essential. Don’t hesitate to embrace the insights from those who have walked this path before you, and consider how their strategies might enhance your own journey. Establish your guardrails through mentorship and real-world experience, and give yourself the freedom to experiment within those boundaries.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Interior design has always been a passion for me. I eagerly devoured books and sought out educational opportunities to deepen my understanding of the design world at every opportunity. However, it took a few years after leaving corporate America before I began applying my design skills. Here’s the reality about side hustles: even the most promising ones may need to take a backseat during significant life transitions.

I hit pause for the first time when I welcomed my first son, as I wanted to fully embrace the experience of being a new mom. It wasn’t until a friend persistently asked me to design her homeschool room that I re-entered the world of interior design.

Although Motif Homes officially launched in 2018, I found myself pausing again in 2020 when my second son was born, choosing to savor this new chapter of motherhood. For me, the decision to raise a family is deeply personal; there is no greater calling than nurturing children who will contribute positively to the world, have a solid spiritual foundation, and know they are valued, loved, and created with purpose.

Since 2022, I have embraced my dual role as a mom and entrepreneur full-time. I have the freedom to set my own pace, allowing me to be present for my children while pursuing the creative opportunities that interior design brings through projects I truly enjoy.

To all the mothers out there, do NOT let societal expectations dictate your path. Whether you choose to be a mom, stay at home, or start a business, pursue it wholeheartedly and surround yourself with supportive people. Listen to those encouraging voices. Each of us has our own purpose in this life; don’t allow the distractions of culture to sidetrack you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.motifhomesnc.com
• Instagram: @motifhomesnc
• Facebook: Motif Homes
• Other: Pinterest : @motifhomesnc

Image Credits

Photo credit for all images : Marco Mendez Photography