Meet Rhonda Peterson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhonda Peterson.

Hi Rhonda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Oh my goodness, when I think about my story; or maybe even my journey to where I am now…whew! How much time do we have?

Even as a child, growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a small city just 30 minutes south of Little Rock. I knew I wanted to be in fashion. I got my first Vogue magazine in fifth grade and that’s where it all began. I would devour those pages, as well as those of Seventeen magazine, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Teen, and Young Miss; always imagining myself in the outfits, wearing the makeup, and having similar adventures as the models were having on the glossy pages.

As time went on, during middle school and jr. high school, I began entering essay writing contests, and as luck would have it, I won a few and placed high in others. By the time I reached high school, it became apparent that I was a pretty talented basketball player and went on to play in college on a basketball scholarship. It was during that time that I learned a great deal about myself; who I am, who I wanted to be, and had a better idea of how I wanted to live my life.

Fast forward a couple of years, I began more than fifteen years, modeling career; working in every major market across the country and abroad. I’m pretty certain that is where the entrepreneurial bug bit, as it was my introduction into being a brand and running a business. I worked other jobs for companies like Louis Vuitton and Pottery Barn; both of which had a part in shaping my business philosophy and work ethic. The bills must get paid and until I was able to do so with income from my own business, I worked for companies where I could get paid to learn as much as I could. I didn’t know exactly where I would land, but I knew I was on the right path.

It was at Pottery Barn while leading the mini workshops the store offered that I realized I may be onto something. My first clients came from those workshops. Following the advice of my dad, I set up my business and went about doing all the things a new business owner does. I started a blog, Stylish Spaces Designed for Living, where I shared all things fashion, interior design, and entertaining; putting my long-forgotten writing skills to use. I also went back to school, after getting laid off at Pottery Barn, to earn my interior design degree. If I can take this moment to backtrack a bit. My undergrad studies were in accounting. In school, I loved it, on the job…not so much. The only reason I majored in accounting is because my dad is a CPA/Auditor and that’s what I was exposed to. So, that was the influence behind a degree I would never use professionally, however skills learned that have been invaluable in my business. As I said earlier, I learned a great deal about myself during those first couple of years of college and it definitely laid the framework for amazing adventures to follow.

In the time since becoming an interior designer, I have been blessed with some incredible opportunities and they keep coming. The best one to date has been the last four years I’ve spent with my now seventeen years old daughter, sharing our journey on our social media platforms, GiGi and Rho. Doing this together has allowed us to get to know one another in a way that has strengthened our love and respect for one another. Even those times when we create ways to share content, we learn and grow from them. We don’t always see eye to; I mean, after all we’re still mom and daughter; however beautiful things can happen as a result of being and thinking differently. It all began as a way for me to strengthen Gillian’s self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth, as well as her capacity to have compassion for herself and others; by doing things that I knew how to do. It has been because of my experiences that I have been able to introduce and expose Gillian to many things, that I would not have been able to, had I not had the self-awareness and sense of adventure to go out and seek for myself. This was extremely important to me because my direct exposure to different careers and opportunities were limited when I was growing up and I wanted more for her.

I am very excited to see what comes of my next pivot, as we approach the high school finish line for Gillian. As someone who loves a challenge and is an adventure seeker, I cannot wait to see where I land next!

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?
My journey hasn’t been a smooth road, however I wouldn’t label it as a struggle either. The challenge was in charting my own course and having the courage and determination to see it through. When you’re a creative entrepreneur, there is a lot of trial and error; start and stops, zig and zag, loopdy loops, and hurry up and wait. If you’re not mentally and physically fit, the journey can be seen as a struggle, at best. I, somehow, always had a very good sense of what I wanted and so all I felt I needed was to determine what was the best way for me to get it. A lot of prayer and meditation became priority, followed by staying physically fit through daily exercise. When those moments come when I just don’t see a way out, I get still and lean forward; so that if I fall, I will land further ahead than where I was standing.

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?
As an interior designer, my focus is always to create environments where my clients will thrive and grow. My desire is to design interiors that, first and foremost, are functional, given my clients lifestyles and the way they live and function in their spaces. I include elements from their past; pieces that ground them and give them a strong sense of peace and belonging; while also being reflective of where they are now in their lives, with respect to their careers, family, and tradition. Through all of this, leaving room for future additions, in whatever form that presents itself. I purpose to tell their story in a way that is beautiful and meaningful.

As a writer, blogger, vlogger, and content creator, I do these in transparency and authenticity. There is nothing new under the sun, however my voice and perspective belong to me and is therefore different from that of someone else. There is no need for me to imitate anyone when writing an article or creating a video because there is power and resonance in my work as long as I am truthful in my creative process.

I am most proud of the work I’ve done with my daughter. She and I started a book club at her high school that is growing and making an impact. We have also started an initiative to introduce high school students to creative careers. I love that Gillian and I have taken some of what we have done together and are creating ways to do them with others. To whom much is given, much is required.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Social media has made it possible for many interior designers, artisans, craftsmen, creatives, etc. to get noticed and become a part of a movement toward diversifying industries that have been slow to turn the corner. With that, more conversations will take place, more opportunities will be given, and the buying public will strengthen its impact on influencing who they want to support for goods and services, thereby changing industries thinking, direction, and practices.

Contact Info:

• Website: rhondaepeterson.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/rhondaepeterson
• Facebook: Facebook.com/rhondaepeterson
• Twitter: Twitter.com/rhondaepeterson
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/c/GigiandRho
• Other: gigiandrho.com 

Image Credits
*Atlanta Magazine; August 2021; Photographer Ben Rollins *Furniture Lighting & Decor