Today we’d like to introduce you to Shada Menefee.
Shada, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Becoming an interior designer was a light-bulb that went off in my head after selflessly doing something for my mother. We lost my dad when I was a junior in high school and it set everything back. One of those things being, a renovated home that my parents were supposed to do together. When I graduated high school, I went to school full-time locally to stay close to my family. Those four years are such a blur to me now because it was a serious grind-time for me. I was focused in school full-time while working 2-3 jobs so that I could stay afloat and support myself and my family. My mother, grandmother and brother were my rocks because there were days I just wanted to throw my hands up but that wasn’t an option.
I didn’t fold and I didn’t quit. I graduated on-time and moved back home to help out around the house and keep things steady. On the contrary, coming back to live at home and seeing the same rooms my dad was in, the same floors he walked on every day, became painful and it hit me; my mom still had lived with this and never got the chance to renovate her home with my dad like they’d planned on. She still hadn’t picked her own decor, paint her own walls, nor create her happiness, so I did it for her. I worked 10-12 hour days at my new full-time job, then would come home and paint, tear up carpet, go to Home Depot, Lowe’s + Home Goods etc, every day until I saw that speechless smile.
I absolutely loved making my mother’s home beautiful. I loved imagining, creating, and executing her vision of HOME and I wanted to continue and live in that for myself and my community. I bought my first investment property and renovated/designed everything. My home was like my blank canvas, where I practiced and practiced until I mastered my art and style of interior design.
Once I launched, COVID-19 hit shortly after, so I had to get innovative since I wasn’t able to meet with clients and go into their homes. That’s how Flourish Home Collection was created. I was inspired to create my own vision of luxe home decor. The shiny accent pieces, unique art, and soft throws are just a few of the many decadent items that I want to grow and curate.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing worth it comes easy, in my opinion. Although the craft of designing comes naturally, to learn how to effectively start and operate a legit business as a new entrepreneur is not for the faint-hearted. On top of that, designing your own inventory from scratch and getting manufacturers to understand and create your vision takes a lot of patience and dedication. Even with all of that, there’s not one thing I would change about the struggles in my journey because I did the research, I stayed committed, and I learned.
I am still currently full-time in my corporate career in Finance, but that same high-level attentiveness I give my job, I find triple of that energy to put into my own business. Some days are harder than others but the key to balancing it all is to plan and stay time-bound, self-disciplined, and consistent. I follow a few social media game-changers on Instagram and one of them highlighted that no one would show up for your business if you don’t because nobody works there, but you!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Flourish By Shada is an interior design business that focuses on modern, chic and luxe designing. The business is known for curating clean and contemporary appeal with a taste of luxury. As Flourish By Shada continues to grow, I’m becoming most proud of my depth in the ability to not only keenly decorate spaces but also being able to create actual home decor from experience and inspiration.
Far too often have I shopped for home decor and although the item may have been beautiful, it lacked quality. I would buy a throw pillow and it became flat or discolored within months or a throw blanket was never really long or soft enough. Flourish Home Collection is a piece of the business that provides luxury home decor at an affordable price. My goal was to exceed the expectation of what high-quality decor represented and that’s what the beginning of the line portrays with the throw pillows and throw blankets. When creating them, I definitely focused on how they looked but paid a lot of attention to how they felt; plush, durable, soft, and something you could not put down. I also recently began offering the throw pillow inserts and covers separately to create more versatility and options for my consumer.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success by making a difference. A very distinct message my father always told me was that I was going to make a difference in this world one day and I’ve always made it a point to supersede that. I’ve made a lot of moves within the past decade that have landmarked the trail I am walking today. Recently, I’ve purchased my first investment property, landed a great position at a Fortune 300 company and launched Flourish By Shada.
Amongst these and other accomplishments, none of them count, in my book, until I know I’ve encouraged the next woman or man that they can do all of that, if not more. I wouldn’t be where I am or feel this level of gratitude if it wasn’t for one, God, and two, knowing I’ve pushed and inspired the next person to get that promotion, get prequalified to own a home or start that business. I want my community, especially my black community, to know that although we have to work twice as hard, we can have it all and we deserve it all. As I continue to build and grow my business, I will gradually develop a platform that does that. That’s when I know I’ve made it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flourishbyshada.com
- Email: flourishbyshada@yahoo.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/flourishbyshada
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/flourishbyshada
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