Meet Liz Alexander of PDR Interiors

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Alexander.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into interior design wasn’t exactly traditional, but when I look back, all the pieces fit together.

I’ve always loved houses and the stories they tell. My grandfather was a realtor, and as a little girl, I loved tagging along with him to see homes. I was fascinated by the different architectural styles, how people lived, and how every home had its own personality. I didn’t realize it then, but those experiences planted the seed for what would become my career.

After graduating from college, my first job was with a countertop fabricating company, where I worked in sales and my clients were a mix of designers, contractors, and homeowners. That’s where I really got an inside look at the design industry. One of my designer clients eventually offered me a job, and I jumped at the opportunity. I earned design certifications, learned the business, and quickly realized I had found what I was meant to do.

When the recession hit, the firm closed its doors, and I found myself at a crossroads. I could either look for another design job or take a leap and start my own business. In the spring of 2009, I decided to bet on myself, and I’m so grateful I did.

Another defining moment came in 2012 after my mom passed away. During that season, I was working on my second or third sorority house when a client asked if I would travel out of state for a project. I said yes, even though I wasn’t completely sure how I was going to make it all work. I just felt like I needed to say yes to the opportunity in front of me. Looking back, I can see God’s hand in every detail. Everything fell into place, and that one project opened the door to designing Greek housing across the country.

Sixteen years later, I still love what I do. I have the privilege of helping sorority and fraternity communities create spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but that become the backdrop for lifelong friendships and unforgettable college memories. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that a career built on a few leap-of-faith moments has grown into something I couldn’t have imagined when I first started.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any business that’s been around for sixteen years can honestly say it’s been a smooth road. Every season has brought its own challenges, and each one has taught me something different.

When I started my business in 2009, we were in the middle of the recession. Launching a design firm during an economic downturn wasn’t exactly the easiest timing, but it forced me to be resourceful, build strong relationships, and never take opportunities for granted.

Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve worn just about every hat over the years. Beyond designing beautiful spaces, there are budgets to manage, marketing to oversee, client relationships to nurture, and countless problems to solve. Running a business has taught me that success isn’t just about creativity, it’s about perseverance, flexibility, and showing up every day, even when things don’t go according to plan.

Losing my mom in 2012 was another difficult chapter. While I was navigating that personal loss, my business was beginning to grow in unexpected ways. During that season, I accepted an opportunity to travel out of state for a sorority housing project, trusting that somehow it would all work out. Looking back, I can clearly see God’s hand in that decision. What felt like one opportunity at the time became the foundation for the national Greek housing work we do today.

Then, of course, 2020 brought challenges none of us could have anticipated. Thankfully, our team was already working remotely, so we didn’t have to reinvent how we operated. But the design industry was hit hard by supply chain disruptions, product shortages, shipping delays, and constantly changing material costs. Every project required extra creativity, patience, and communication. We spent a lot of time finding alternative products, adjusting timelines, and helping clients navigate circumstances that were beyond anyone’s control.

If there’s one thing these experiences have taught me, it’s that every challenge presents an opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Design is all about solving problems, and in many ways, running a business is no different. I’m grateful for every season, even the hard ones, because they’ve shaped both the leader and designer I am today.

As you know, we’re big fans of PDR Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At its heart, our business is about creating spaces that bring people together. Whether we’re designing a family home or a sorority house, our goal is the same- to create environments that are beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully designed for the people who use them every day.

While we work on residential projects, we’re especially known for our work in the Greek housing industry. Over the past sixteen years, we’ve had the privilege of designing sorority and fraternity houses across the country. It’s a niche that combines so many things I love: creating beautiful interiors, solving complex design challenges, and designing spaces that foster connection and community.

Designing Greek housing is very different from designing a typical home. These spaces have to withstand years of heavy use while still feeling warm, welcoming, and timeless. Every decision has to balance aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and budget. It’s a unique challenge, and one I genuinely enjoy.

I think what sets us apart is that we listen first. Every client, every organization, and every home has a different story to tell. Rather than designing for a signature “look,” we design for the people who will live, gather, study, celebrate, and make memories there. We want every space to reflect its purpose and the people it serves.

I’m also incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built over the years. Many of our clients return to us for future projects or recommend us to others, and there’s no greater compliment than being trusted again. Those long-term relationships mean far more to me than any single project.

At the end of the day, I hope people know our brand is about more than beautiful interiors. We care deeply about serving our clients well, communicating honestly, and creating spaces that stand the test of time. It’s a privilege to do work that impacts not only how a space looks but how people experience it for years to come.

What’s next?
I’m just as excited about the future as I was when I started, but my perspective has definitely evolved.

This year, instead of making a list of goals, I created a vision board. It was less about chasing the next milestone and more about being intentional- with the work we do, the projects we take on, and the way we show up for our clients and as a team. That’s the mindset I’m carrying into the future.

I’m excited to continue growing our work in the Greek housing industry and strengthening the relationships we’ve built over the years. Every project gives us the opportunity to create spaces where students find community, grow as leaders, and make memories they’ll carry with them long after graduation. It’s incredibly rewarding to know our work plays a small part in those experiences.

I’m also looking forward to continuing my podcast. It’s become one of my favorite ways to spotlight the positive things happening within the Greek community, share stories that deserve to be told, and connect with incredible people across the country. Those conversations have reinforced something I’ve always believed: that relationships are at the heart of everything we do, both in business and in life.

Mentoring the next generation of designers is another priority for me. I’ve been fortunate to learn from talented people throughout my career, and I hope to encourage and invest in others the same way people have invested in me.

More than anything, I want to continue building a business that’s known not just for beautiful design, but for integrity, thoughtful service, and lasting relationships. Some of the biggest opportunities in my career were the ones I never could have planned, and that’s taught me to trust God’s timing more than my own. If I can keep doing meaningful work, serve people well, and leave every project and relationship better than I found it, I’ll consider that a successful future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pdr-interiors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pdrinteriors/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-alexander-cid-sidc-68b3176/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pdrinteriors
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pdr_interiors