Exploring Life & Business with Barbara Williams of B. Christine & Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Williams.

Hi Barbara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I remember calling my father in 2006/2007, asking him for $50; his reply to me was straight to the point. He said, “No, you will figure it out.” After that conversation, I did just that- I figured it out. After researching quick ways to make money, I learned to utilize eBay. I was amazed at how much money I could make by selling items in my home on this platform. I was hooked and would stick with eBay for a few years. I tried my hand at several Multi Level Marketing (MLM) type businesses over the years, but they never fulfilled me.

I understood that my purpose and life call were vital to any business I started. I attempted to become a life coach but didn’t fit in that arena. I then decided I wanted to be a career coach helping people learn to dress for success. After dissolving that business, I decided to take a break from business formation for a while.

In 2017, I was utterly disobedient to the voice of God and created a photography business when He told me to do something else. I held on to that business for five years because it allowed me to minister to people through photography. However, at the end of 2021, I felt a nudge from Holy Spirit to dissolve the photography business. In March 2022, I excitedly closed the photography business and felt at peace.

Earlier in 2021, I asked God to show me what to do next, and He reminded me of my love for interior decorating while my husband and I began building our new home. He brought to my remembrance all the times I have assisted friends, family, and co-workers bring their homes together over the years. He then reminded me how I helped customers pull their spaces together while working at Kirkland’s part-time in 2011. In April 2022, I divorced fear, married faith, and gave birth to B. Christine & Co., LLC., while working full-time with the Federal Government.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This journey has not been easy. I have cried many nights because of so many disappointments year after year. Knowing I had a greater purpose and navigating that purpose taught me many lessons.

The most significant challenge for me was overcoming my mindset! I had to rid myself of every limiting belief and the spirit of self-sabotage. I walked into an industry I did not know anything about; I knew I had to learn as much as possible, so I joined a few Facebook groups to help me get familiar with different aspects of the industry. In one of the groups, a lady commented on my post, saying some very unpleasant things to me because I elicited advice from other designers who juggled working full-time while operating their businesses. Her comment shook me, but I did not allow her words to impede my progress because my mindset was now bulletproof.

I was confident in all the other businesses I started, but starting this business caused me to rely on God for everything. I felt unqualified because I didn’t have a degree in interior design. I have three degrees, which speaks to my love of learning; however, God had other plans this time. With this next faith move, I had to put my hand into His hand and fully trust that He knew what He was doing.

He led me to the Aspiring Designers Academy, where I met the most remarkable supporters who kept me encouraged. I am very thankful for them and couldn’t imagine my life without them. I am also a student at the Interior Design Institute, which has allowed me to gain a community of friends in this industry. Instagram has also connected me to some fantastic women and men in this industry, many of whom you would think I have known forever.

While building my business, it is immensely challenging to juggle everything. I am a wife, and a mom, work full time, am a student enrolled in a distance learning program, am active with my church, and still try to have a personal life. Due to the scarcity of my time, I have hired a team of graphic designers and a tax accountant/bookkeeper. Outsourcing these two tasks allows me to function more efficiently. I desire to hire an assistant in the coming year.

Another considerable challenge for me was overcoming perfectionism. I wanted everything to be excellent from the start, but I slowly understood that getting things done is better than something perfect. My business will evolve and improve as I continue to grow. I am a leading learner, and that is okay.

As you know, we’re big fans of B. Christine & Co., LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the Owner and Lead Decorator at B. Christine & Co., LLC (known as B.Christine Interiors on Instagram). B. Christine Interiors is the resource for clients dedicated to transforming their homes into well-designed spaces that are luxurious and functional while creating a calm atmosphere for busy professionals, families, and business owners.

The clients I work with are busy professionals who don’t have the time to decorate their spaces and individuals who don’t fully understand how to bring together their ideas cohesively. Often when working with clients, I discover more profound reasons why they have not completed their spaces or have difficulty envisioning the space. In these moments of revelation, I think what sets me apart from others is that my heart’s posture is always ready to minister(through prayer) to the needs of those I encounter as clients. Many of my clients have shared very personal things with me; I don’t take that lightly. Honestly, prayer is a part of my business plan and strategy.

I am most proud of myself for having the courage to terminate my toxic relationship with fear to pursue this beautiful relationship with faith that has brought me so much happiness this past year. I am also proud of myself for never giving up, facing every obstacle head-on, and coming out victorious, which allowed me to find my tribe of designers who have become lifelong friends.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I enjoy that there is so much to do at any given time. There are lots of options for food, shopping, entertainment, etc. However, we all know that Atlanta needs a No Vacancy sign because the traffic never ceases, LOL!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bchristineinteriors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b.christine_interiors/ 

Image Credits
Photos of Barbara provided by Darien Bryant of Bryant Studios IG: @bryant_studios Photos of Projects: Barbara Williams Renderings: VVFYME & Ellis Beaumont Design Photos of Clients home: Barbara and Client provided