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Conversations with the Inspiring Tobey Renee Sanders

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tobey Renee Sanders.

Tobey Renee, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Here’s my story in a nutshell. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems. I worked as a software developer for several years. During my time working in tech, I purchased my first home, a very trending luxury loft in downtown Atlanta. I decorated and painted the space myself, not realizing what faux-finish was and that I could make a living doing it. Shortly after finishing my home, I found myself, Faux-finishing my friends home for free… unfortunately. In 2004, I decided to start my own Faux Finishing company. I am happy to say, 15 years later, I’m still in business. I am also an Art Director/Set Designer for the tv/film industry. I’ve worked on several shows such as Bravo’s RHOA, Vh-1’s Teyana & Iman, Lifetime’s Little Women ATL, The Kandi Factory, Xscape: Still Kicking It, and Will Packer’s new show Ready To Love that airs in the OWN network this fall.

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?
It has not been a smooth road. I faced so many struggles, such as, entering a totally different field of work, becoming an entrepreneur and business owner overnight, finding clients, and finding people that believed in me, convincing clients that my work was with their dollars. Advice for women just getting started… invest in yourself!!!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into FauxDecor story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m am a Faux finisher. I take on turnkey Design projects from time to time, but my love for Design is best spent on tv and film sets. I prefer the entertainment industry!! I’ve worked with numerous celebrities, sports figures and public figures. I travel about 40% of the time. I also opened a Faux finish school in 2012, to teach people who to start and run their own successful decorative painting business. I’ve been featured in Black Enterprise, as well as, Kim Michelle’s My Life tv show and HGTV’s 2018 Smart Home tv show.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Yes. My mom played a big part in my entrepreneurial spirit. I watched her run a successful event decor business for years.

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Tobey Sanders

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