*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.
Q and A with Ariel, Collin County, Texas
“I signed up for one design class and absolutely loved it! I found that I not only had a passion for interior design, but I had a God-given gift to envision a space based off my clients’ wants and needs.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am an interior designer who helps homeowners feel empowered through design. My passion is writing your story through fabric, furniture, architectural elements, and your personal items. I never planned to be an interior designer.
After high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. As a young child, I had developed a love for animals. My parents told me that I should be a veterinarian because I loved animals so much. After graduating, I got a job at a vet clinic before school started to get my feet wet. It was my first surgery to watch with the vet, and I was so excited. Sadly, I soon learned that I was not meant to be a vet. I asked my parents and friends what I should do because I had no idea what to do next.
They told me because I love kids that I should be a teacher. I got to the end of my junior year and realized that I wasn’t passionate about teaching. At the time, a lot of my friends were teachers and would come home stressed out complaining about the kids and then have to bring work home on the weekends. I just couldn’t see myself working that hard to deal with other people’s misbehaving kids. After I realized these things, I dropped out and quit my job. I had no idea what I was going to do. I just knew that I kept doing things my way.
So, I told my family and friends to pray for me because clearly, I kept trying to do things my way instead of trying to do what God was wanting. Maybe a week or so went by and my aunt called me saying she knew what I was supposed to do because God kept her up the night before. I was very skeptical and just told her “Sure he did.” She was serious and began telling me future plans of being an interior designer. I was still skeptical but began to argue with her saying that I’m not passionate about it nor do I like interior designers (because I thought they were stuck up and rude). She told me to go to one class before I said no. If I didn’t like it, then we would start over. I signed up for one design class and absolutely loved it! I found that I not only had a passion for interior design, but I had a God-given gift to envision a space based off my clients’ wants and needs.
This is my first year stepping out to do my own thing. I am currently working on two projects. The first project is almost complete. It is a remodel of a kitchen and fireplace. This homeowner had tried to make things feel like home, but it just wasn’t working. The space now speaks his style and spunk. He loves coming home to a space that relaxes him instead of depresses him. The second project is just starting. It is a remodel of the master and two Jack and Jill baths. This one is going to be an eye catcher after it is completed! This homeowner was tired of having such an empty house that didn’t feel like home. He loves to entertain, but he was embarrassed to bring people over because of the lack of furniture.
On the weekends, I work on writing books. Currently, I am in the editing phase of my first book. It is my personal story to help teenagers with their parents’ divorce. The second book will be a series of books about my dog and her adventures. I am very excited to become an author and share my knowledge while having fun.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were tough. I come from a background of two generations of divorce. My parents had me while they were still in high school, and my grandparents raised me–not my parents. This helped set me up to be completely different than anyone my age. I was taught that you only reap what you sow, and nothing in life is handed to you. They instilled this mindset into me, and I am forever grateful. I have changed my family tree and the future generations. Also, I grew up in the country, so I am just a country girl who loves to hunt and fish, but don’t think for a second I don’t love to get dressed up!
I am a first generation to: not have a child at a young age, be married before 20, go to college, get a college degree, get two college degrees, become a business owner, and be completely debt free. I have two associate degrees. One is in childhood education and the other in design. I can’t tell you too much or it will ruin my first book’s story line. 
Q: What would you like others to learn from your story?
A: My clients aren’t just a onetime transaction. I design around their wants and needs, which means that I get to know them. They get to know me and become like family! I want them to know that I treat each and every client’s project as if it was my own. They all are books to me, and I have to read them to know what they want. I want them to become my lifetime clients. God’s plans will always be greater and more beautiful than we could ever plan for.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: I believe that men and women were created equal. God created us all to be unique, and we shouldn’t try to be something that we aren’t. Be what God created you to be.
Let’s connect! 🙂
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rusticsimplicitydesigns/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticsimplicitydesigns/
I reside in Texas, but I will travel for bookings.
Ariel & My Lilianas would love to hear from you! Comment below!
The Woman Wednesday Blog 