Meet Susie Prince of Susie Mae Design in Chamblee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie Prince.

Susie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
During my last year or so of college, I worked at a very cute furniture store owned by a local designer. Though, I was about to graduate with a BFA Graphic Design degree, that job showed me what my true passion is: interiors. I should’ve known interiors were my calling! Even as a child, I was offering my parents suggestions on paint colors and my opinions on living room furniture.

After graduation, I worked for a few years for a large corporation in Atlanta designing packaging and store displays. One day, I was given the opportunity to work on an HGTV show. I knew I had to take the job! It was a leap of faith to leave a steady income, but it was just the push I needed to go out on my own and begin doing what I love. The show was great fun, taught me so much and introduced me to some wonderful, hardworking friends.

Following the show, I began to pick up styling jobs here and there for photo and video shoots which then grew into more and more design work. With each finished project, referrals and word of mouth grew my business as people began to trust me with the design of their homes. Today, I have a list of treasured clients I am so thankful to work with each day. It’s a personal relationship working with a designer and while it is business, trusting your home and personal style with someone is pretty intimate and I take that very seriously.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think any business owner would say there have never been any bumps in the road. But, I’d say I’m very lucky to have a very supportive husband who encourages me to build this business, I have wonderful clients, a supportive community of other designers and trade partners and I get to do what I love every day. There have definitely been learning curves, late nights and stressful times but I consider those challenges contributing factors to success.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Susie Mae Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Susie Mae Design is an interior design and decorating company specializing in creating curated, personal spaces, unique to each client. I have a motto for myself and my business: “Be different. Be you.” It’s critical that design be a personal reflection of each client. That’s what makes a room feel alive. If I designed spaces that were specific to current trends or didn’t have nuance in style, frankly, that would be a little boring and it wouldn’t stand the test of time. My strength is understanding my clients’ personal style, interpreting that into practical furnishings and finishes that work for their home and lifestyle and sometimes even pushing them just a little to “go for it” and be a little bold.

I’m so proud of a master suite project I completed a couple of years ago for a client turned friend. As we talked through her personal style, she was drawn to traditional lines but really loved the Regency/Glam style, she just was too nervous to take the leap. With a little trust on her part, or maybe a lot, we turned her master suite into a soothing, calming retreat with touches of glam including an 8 foot-wide custom purple headboard and extensive crown and trim painted a deep purple. It’s not trendy, it’s not one particular style, it is HER!

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Big dreams: I’d love someday to have my own line of textiles. Specifically good quality, readymade drapes, shower curtains, and such that are not so out of reach for the everyday shopper. More immediately, I’d love to expand my team and bring on an office manager and design assistant and eventually have a storefront.

Currently, I work out of my home office with my sweet 12-year old dog as my assistant. Unfortunately, she’s terrible at making coffee and she never returns emails, so she isn’t much help. I’m enjoying that quite a lot, so the office space can wait a while.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://susiemaedesign.com/
• Phone: 706-836-7625
• Email: susie@susiemaeday.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemaedesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susiemaedesign

Image Credit:
Christina Wedge Photography

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