Daily Inspiration: Meet Courtney Foney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Foney.

Hi Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I often recite a mantra to myself when I feel discouraged, “you are exactly where you are meant to be in this moment.” I wish I could say that from a young age, I always knew I wanted to be an interior designer. That would be far from the truth. I spent most of my academia years pursuing a career in healthcare, knowing I wanted to make an impact on as many lives as I could.

In May 2020, a year defined by sickness, I graduated from Georgia State University with my B.S. in Respiratory Therapy. With Covid-19 redefining everything we knew to be true, I was forced to not only navigate my career as a novice but also tackle the emotional toll of Covid deaths, staffing shortages, and burnout. I struggled with motivation and spent many nights wondering if I had chosen the right career.

I found comfort in designing my home, the only place I found solace after a 12-hour shift. I shared the journey of making my one bedroom rental feel as luxurious as possible and received an influx of design inquiries. People were actually willing to pay me to decorate their homes when at the time, I probably would have done it for free! Interior design felt like a puzzle piece I had been missing in the picture of my life. I immediately researched interior design as a career and took the necessary steps to become a professionally trained interior designer.

Although I now juggle working full time to pursue my ID degree, each day I get to show up for myself and run full speed towards my dreams reaffirms, “I am exactly where I am meant to be in this moment.”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having balance so many aspects of my life has been quite the ride. I not only attend classes full time, but I work full time as well. Couple this with the challenge of being an emerging 20-something, making time for loved ones, and maintain healthy habits…it has been interesting to say the least. When I decided in 2020 to pursue interior design as a career, I knew it would be challenging, but I was a challenge I absolutely was ready to accept. Some nights, I immediately clock out of work and go straight to campus for class. I often visualize my future self and try to show up as her. What am I doing today that will impact my tomorrow?

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Many people don’t understand or recognize the difference between an interior decorator and an interior design. Interior designers learn the science of how we occupy spaces and how to create functional spaces based on this observation. It’s more than paint colors and pillows, interior design starts with the psychology of basic human needs.

I hope to soon begin to accept design clients, but as of now I am focusing on learning as much as I can in school. In the future, I plan on offering services ranging from virtual styling- a digital consultation resulting in a curated decor board filled with furniture and fixtures- to full design services diving deeper into the design process from start to finish.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Never burn bridges, and always put your best foot forward. Every opportunity is truly a learning experience. Never be afraid to ask for what you want. All of these statements have been recited an enumerable amount of times throughout history, but they all ring true. Although cliche, these words of advice have aided in me being where I am today.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: thecourtneycreative.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thecourtneycreative