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Meet Fundisha Hicks of Walk On Water Interiors in Douglasville

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Fundisha Hicks.

Fundisha, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2000 I was introduced to a new PC game called The Sims. The game is a life simulation video game where players make virtual people called “Sims”. You can either place your Sim in pre-constructed homes or build a custom home of your own. I was immediately drawn to the idea of being able to build your own house and decorate it. Little did I know the game was actually a seed that being planted that would manifest to real life and add to my creative journey.

2009 was the worst summer of my life. I lost three family members: My uncle, my cousin, and my mom. It was the most devastating thing I have ever been through. After that summer, my life was changed forever. It was the journey back to Georgia from New Jersey that I knew I had to rebuild and figure out what my life would look like without my mom. My youngest sister rode back to Georgia with me to live with me and shared the same mindset of rebuilding and figuring out life now that our rock was no longer with us. I knew I had to do something different.

Creativity is who I am, and each level of my life expands on that dynamic. This led me to the Art Institute of Atlanta, where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. My sister and I enrolled together in 2009, one month after my mom passed. Her love is fashion and my new love is interior design. I never thought that I would be able to find something I loved besides music. Music is my first love and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to be a recording artist signed with two major labels, Epic Records and Atlanta’s own Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings but now I bring my creative spirit to the world of Interior Design.

Although I decided to go to school in 2009 to perfect what I knew, I had the opportunity to get my feet wet and take what I did on the Sims and translate it to real houses for actual people. My first project was in 2006, where I staged a home for sale. As a result of my services, the home sold quickly, and I was offered a position to work with the real estate company responsible for selling the home. Since 2006 to 2020, I have done several home organization projects & interior redesigns. In addition, I have designed children/teen bedrooms, family/living rooms, dining rooms, closets, space planning for events, cafe’s and church set designs. I also worked as an online designer where I provided boards, floor plans, 3D designs as well as shopping lists for interior spaces.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road may be beautiful or ugly; it may be easy or hard, smooth or rough, it doesn’t matter; what matters most is where the road will take you! Mehmet Murat ildan.

I am so thankful for where the road is taking me. In my moments of uncertainty, God saw fit to bring me through it all. I can remember the last three months of school. It was extremely difficult. The workload was intense, and I was dealing with family issues at home. I had not been eating, sleeping, and physically and emotionally stressed. I did not have the finances to cover some of my fees for final projects but somehow, God provided. What hurt me the most is not being able to do an Internship. It was an unpaid internship and I did not have enough money to make the commute to school and to work. I had already exhausted my help financially and no matter what I tried to come up with, it did not work out.

Despite it all, I was able to complete all of my assignments, along with my portfolio and graduate with a 3.5 GPA. That was a huge accomplishment to walk across the stage and receive my diploma. I also have an Associates in Paralegal Studies but I was not able to walk, so it was even more exciting to be able to be recognized after me personally knowing what it took to make it to that stage.

Not doing the internship made it very difficult for me to find a job. Even with job placement from the school, I was not able to obtain a position. I continued to look for a position landing a couple of interviews along the way, coming close to getting hired but never hired. I found a position online to work as an online designer along with in-home consultations. This led me to take my lemons and turn it into lemonade and pray about starting my own business. I got confirmation from God in several ways and today I have Walk On Water Interiors.

Walk On Water Interiors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
When you think of working with an Interior Designer, pricing and other factors may lead you to believe it is not attainable. At Walk On Water Interiors LLC, we strive to not only make it possible but make it an experience you will never forget!

When creating a design, I am inspired mostly by color and artistic/custom pieces. A painting, piece of fabric, or accessory item can inspire an entire design. The color palette it represents, and the shape and form can inspire the flow of the room. My design concept is to create an atmosphere combining modern elements with the necessities for comfortable living. My design style provides sophistication where needed and a space that is usable for one to enjoy. I create an ambiance and breathtaking appeal using color and create moods with the intent to leave clients with an enjoyable experience.

We provide residential and commercial services. We redesign (remix) existing furniture pieces. We build custom furniture pieces to add a ‘Wow’ factor to a space. Provide staging for homes by making improvements and updates to help the home sell faster. We work with existing furnishings and decorative accessories by rearranging or re-purposing them in the same space. We provide a professional organization with a four-step process for any professional or private room or space. We offer custom design packages that will fit your needs and budget. Our goal is to leave a lifelong impression and provide a service that will positively affect you.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The criteria for success is to never give up. Trying defines success, not achievements. I say this because when you try, it is often attached to winning or losing. Yet there is so much you have gained and learned from what you may call failure. So, are you actually failing or are you succeeding in life because now you know something that you did not know before? Now you have experienced something that can be life-changing and catapult you into the person that you were destined to be. To me, that is a success.

Pricing:

  • W.O.W Color Consultations $20 per room
  • W.O.W Decorative Items & Accessories Consultation $30 per room
  • DIY Design Package $300.00-$1150.00
  • The WOW Experience Design Package $1500.00 -$3500.00

Contact Info:

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