Becoming an Interior Designer: My Story

Question: “So, how’d a nice girl like you end up in a business like this?” 

Answer: Prayer.

Like many designers, I have had a love of interior design since childhood. In the beginning it never occurred to me that it could possibly be a business, and now it is hard to believe that we have been in business since 2003. It’s been a windy road between those two points, so buckle up for this story.

First, my conversion to Christianity is key to many of the personal changes in my life as well as how I now view the world. It’s where the prayer part comes in. As I trace my journey, it is clear that my vision and purpose belonged to God long before it was mine. When I consider the miraculous way He brought everything together with my business, I am in awe. It is nothing short of a miracle… at least to me. You are free to interpret it as you wish.

About the time I was 8-years-old, it was apparent to those around me that I was right-brain dominant – artistically focused. I began singing with my dad's sister, Aunt Rosie, plus I loved to create, paint and draw. I was also keenly aware of my environment, specifically my bedroom. I cared deeply about how it looked – and more importantly – how it made me feel. I was very particular about what my bedroom contained and how it was arraigned. This led to my parents getting my input on selections for their custom home when I was 16-years-old.

For many years, music was my primary method for artistic expression. As I got older, I got into the heavy metal music scene and as a result had no moral boundaries, whatsoever. I would describe this time in my life as self-centered and self-serving.

And then I got a wake-up call.

Doctors found a cyst on my vocal cord, which forced me out of the music scene. At the time I was devastated, but looking back now, I am thankful. Had something this dramatic not occurred, I am certain the trajectory of my life would have taken me somewhere much different

With no definite outlet for artistic expression, I focused on my day job, which at the time was in the insurance business. It had previously been only a means to an end, serving as my way to support my music habit. Once music was out of my life though, I found myself becoming more and more disillusioned with life in general. I thought I had no purpose anymore. My day job paid well, but I was miserable. So I continued to look for love and happiness in all the wrong places, turning to drinking and partying. On the outside I am sure that I appeared carefree and happy, but on the inside I felt empty.

The turning point came when my alcoholic boyfriend moved in with me. It was a horrible experience. What stands out most however, is that for some strange reason, one Sunday morning he wanted to go to church.

We went to Alamo Heights Methodist Church in San Antonio. As we sat in this beautiful church, the pastor began speaking – seemingly directly at me! He spoke about a lady who had come into his office for counseling and during the conversation mentioned that she wanted something more in her life, but she wasn’t sure what “more” meant. This was me! As he talked, I kept thinking, “He is looking right at me. How does he know?”

In a flash of insight, everything just… clicked. What was I doing?

I looked over at my boyfriend and realized how much of a mess my life had become. With God-inspired strength, I ended the relationship and kicked my boyfriend out of my place the next day.

I had had what Christians term a “conversion experience.” If you’ve had it, you understand what it means. Over the next several months I started attending that church every Sunday. I began to realize I was put on this earth for a purpose, but I had only been fulfilling a self-serving one. I thought, “If I died tomorrow, would my life have made a difference in this world?” I wanted the answer to be yes. Sure, I likely made some people happy when I sang, but my motives were backwards. It was never about the people; it was about me.

Throughout this searching and even through my change of heart, God was laying the groundwork for what was to be. You see, I had my first house when I was 21-years-old, one that I could decorate all on my own. Years later, while in my thirties, I remodeled my second home, this one in Alamo Heights. All along the way people kept telling me that I had a talent for creating beautiful home environments.

I soon met the love of my life, my husband, Darren (another miracle story for another day). 

He was transferred to Austin, so we moved there, but I continued the long commute to San Antonio every day for my insurance clientele (remember that day job I talked about). It didn’t take many 12-hour days to start thinking seriously about becoming an interior designer.

Of course, I had no idea where to even begin. The obvious solution was to go back to school and get a degree in interior design. About the same time however, I found out I was pregnant… after three years of infertility (yet another miracle story for yet another day). The thought of trying to juggle school, work, and a new baby just seemed overwhelming. Pair that with the fact that I was never a big fan of school anyway and it was easy to ditch that idea. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love to learn… just on my own terms.

Enter blessings and prayer. My son Shelton was born, and I enjoyed being a mom and working part-time in my insurance career; however, I also began to pray about this whole interior design vocation. Praying about everything is a habit that started almost immediately after I became a Christian. Talking with God provides my road map and bearings for everything. I prayed and told Him that if this was going to happen, He would have to show me the way.

Well, show me He did. About 18 months had passed when the third… or fourth?... I’m losing track (smile)… miracle in my life occurred. Hold on to your hat, because within a three-week period several amazing things happened – 1) A good friend of mine was going to remodel her home in Western Oaks and asked if she could hire me to help her, 2) Another friend of mine bought a new house in Dripping Springs and asked me to help with her drapery, and 3) As we were walking the lot for our new home being built in Circle C Ranch we ran into our new neighbor who already had a decorating business. Coincidence? Sure. (He’s an on-time God.)

I told my new neighbor about what was unfolding, and she suggested I just go to the county clerk’s office and file a DBA. Since I had already been praying about all this, I was able to see that God was lining things up for me and was about to do something big. I went to my boss in the insurance business, who is also a Christian, and explained to her what was transpiring. She gave me her blessing, and so without giving it much further thought, I went down and got my DBA in the name of Robin Bond Interiors.

A big shout-out to my friend, Terri Williams!

She and her husband Rob have been friends for years, and she was instrumental in this whole thing coming to fruition. She was the one who hired me to help her remodel her house, plus had already suggested I get into the design business. It was Terri who helped knock down my insecurities about not having a degree and introduced me to the real, live world of interior design. God used Terri as His hands to give me the push I needed.

Working on Terri’s home was just the start. One of her neighbors kept monitoring the progress on my work and soon hired me for her own project! What?! I never dreamed I’d get an actual client who wasn’t a friend. All of a sudden, I was terrified.

Once again, however, God put a friend in my path to help me get through the next business phase. One of my good friends, Ted Roberts, suggested I read The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. To this day it is still one of my favorite books of all time and it helped me tremendously with the business side of my endeavor. Using the book for guidance and wisdom from Ted, I began to turn terror into determination and motivation.

I started taking business classes and design classes – obtaining a diploma in interior design as well as several certifications. Take that fear! 

Yes, I did everything in a backwards sort of way (which I would not recommend). But I claim Joshua Chapter 4, knowing that these three separate incidents have given me the stones of remembrance, a reminder that God has always provided a path. This business was not started by me, but rather is the result of my destiny and purpose, brought forth through prayer and God’s timing.

What a ride it has been! I would have never had the courage to embark on it without His guidance and I am so thankful!

But it has not been easy. I have opened, closed, moved in and moved out of two retail spaces, at the end of which I clearly heard God say, “I called you to help people with their homes, not to have a retail business.” I was forced to move my business back into my home. I will never forget sitting at my dining room table across from a Frost Bank representative. I had taken out a six-figure loan for the retail endeavor and I told him I would pay him back every penny. He looked at me skeptically and I could tell he didn’t believe me. But God did.

One of the happiest days of my life was when I paid that last installment.

It was painful, yet it was the right thing to do and helped me to grow immensely. It helped me have the maturity and faith during this COVID-19 pandemic, while we sold facemasks to help the public, to know that this business would, once again, persevere.

When you start a business, you find out quickly that you can’t build it alone. Your team will be key to your success. Rose Brasuel has been my accountant since 2006 and has been faithfully by my side watching the numbers to assure we are always making the best business decisions. She is also one of my most trusted prayer partners and prays with me for the success of the business, among many other things.

Today, Robin Bond Interiors is still going strong. I believe we have the most amazing clients. In fact, several of our clients have been with us for years and we have had the pleasure of helping them with multiple houses and projects, all while watching their lives and families transform and grow.

In my life, God always comes first

But after that family and home are a close second and third. I apply this belief in my work. I live and breathe interior design, love it with all my heart and believe beautiful environments enhance families and lives. I know I am fulfilling my destiny and purpose through this business and am blessed and thankful every day. The firm’s staff, vendors, builders, business associates and clients are more than business to me; they are family.

I am still here and still having a blast. Bring on the next project!