We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ester Shamba. Check out our conversation below.
Ester, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think the social media era is hurting us more than we’re willing to admit. It’s hard to escape that constant feeling that everyone else’s life is perfect, while our real, messy backstage somehow feels like a failure or something to be ashamed of.
As a mom of two and a business owner, I can definitely say life is far from perfect – and I refuse to feel even the slightest sense of failure because of that. Am I doing my best? Absolutely. Does it always work out? Not at all.
But I’ve reached a point in life where I’m comfortable with the uncomfortable, and I’m trying to see these years with a bit more perspective. When I’m having a rough day, I just tell myself, “Tomorrow I’ll do better.” And honestly… I do.
I use social media to promote our business, and honestly, I enjoy a lot of the content I consume there. But I always remind myself that it’s still just content – entertaining content. No one really lives, parents, or grows their business the way it looks online, 24/7. We only see the highlights, and somehow we assume that’s the full picture. It’s not.
I actually feel like a shift has already started. People are tired of the fake perfection. They’re craving realism – the raw materials, the real moments, the true people they can relate to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Ester Shamba – the co-owner and COO of Gratitwood, a custom woodworking company my husband Kobi and I built together here in Marietta. We create one-of-a-kind cabinets, kitchens, murphy beds, home offices and mudrooms, but more than anything, we focus on making homes feel organized, beautiful, and personal.
What makes Gratitwood special is our mix of craftsmanship and heart. We’re a small family business, and every project gets our full attention – from the first sketch to the final installation. We love the messy, creative parts just as much as the polished results, and we always try to make the process as smooth and transparent as possible for our clients.
Our story is very much a journey: we moved to the U.S. six years ago, started from zero, and slowly built a brand that reflects gratitude, quality, and the belief that good design genuinely improves daily life. Right now, we’re focused on expanding our team, refining our client experience, and taking on more projects that challenge and inspire us.
Most of all, we’re grateful – for our clients, our community, and the opportunity to build something meaningful together.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I was told over and over that I wasn’t good at anything, that I had no talent, and that I was too gentle for this world. Those messages came from my mother, who was struggling with mental illness – but as a child, I absorbed every word as if it were the truth. I carried that weight with me for years, letting it shape how I saw myself, my abilities, and even my worth.
Adulthood has been the journey of unlearning all of that. Breaking those inner beliefs, questioning the voice in my head that said I wasn’t enough, and slowly rewriting my story has been the hardest and most meaningful work I’ve ever done. Along the way, I’ve discovered that my gentleness is not a weakness – it’s a strength. That I am capable, creative, and resilient. That I can care deeply and still succeed in a world that often feels harsh.
Every day I remind myself of this: I don’t have to live by someone else’s judgment, and I don’t have to hide the parts of me that were once called flaws. What once felt like weakness has become my guide, my empathy, and my power – and learning to see it that way has transformed my life.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
When we first started, I had this childish belief that if I worked hard enough, scrappy enough, I’d automatically be successful. But failing hard quickly taught me that it doesn’t work that way. There’s no medal at the end of the road that says, “You worked hard enough – here’s your success.”
It doesn’t matter how tired you are or how much effort you put in – if you don’t get the results, there are no results. You have to figure out how to get it right, and there’s no break until you do. Failing hard taught me courage, consistency, and true responsibility. It showed me that success isn’t about working harder – it’s about learning, adjusting, and refusing to give up.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe I see God’s work every day in the smallest details. As a business owner, you carry so much on your shoulders, and you can’t control everything. God becomes a full-time partner – you talk to Him constantly, and somehow, He replies, fixes things, and makes the impossible happen. I literally see little miracles every day. I’m not traditionally religious, but I am a believer, and my faith keeps growing stronger with each passing day.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say about me that I lived with courage and heart, saw the good in others, and left the world a little better than I found it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gratitwood.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratitwood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gratitwood/
Image Credits
Shani Uritsky
