Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Hobbs.
Hi Kara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Turning a house into a home—a space into a place—lights me up. I find pure joy in this creative practice. I grew up in St. Louis and have lived in six different cities, the last of which is here in Austin, where my husband, daughter and our Great Dane are settled. With each move, my passion for designing our new space and the longing to feel nested has grown. And through my time earning my master’s degree in art history, my inherent love for detail and affinity for artistic expression was deepened. Today, I focus on my interior design business after more than a decade working in fundraising and philanthropy for mission-based nonprofit organizations. While I have found fulfillment in many ways, my true passion is creating beautiful spaces that make people feel good. Beyond aesthetics, I love listening with the intention of anticipating real needs. There is nothing more rewarding than showing up in an authentic way with clients and building meaningful relationships with people and spaces.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The smooth part of the road has been the clarity I’ve gained on my purpose, the affirmation I’ve received along the way and the unwavering support of my family. The bumps are many of the same that others building their own business may share: striking work-life balance, self-doubt, honing the brand, time management, playing the social media game. Oh, social media… that particular struggle can be very real for me. Sometimes it’s difficult to know if I am accurately presenting my passion and vision in a way that connects with followers, as well as how to determine a good balance of business and personal content so folks can also see who I am as an individual. Always a #wip, as we say on Instagram.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
That feeling of home, well-being in your space, and an authentic environment is something I believe we all desire and deserve. My goal is to be an accessible and helpful resource to support individuals and families of all backgrounds and budgets in creating spaces that are truly their own and add to their quality of life. I ‘co-vision’ with my clients, listen to their dreams for their space and help translate that into a beautiful and livable design that they love.
The Kara Hobbs Design experience is fun, comfortable, inclusive, collaborative, personal and unique to you. My general aesthetic is eclectic, clever and colorful, but with sophistication and cohesion dialed up to suit the needs of the client. I often incorporate vintage and locally sourced elements for curiosity and depth. My goal is my client’s 110% happiness and for them to feel like they have made a valuable investment in their space and in their personal well-being. What I’m most proud of about my brand is the message that interior design services are for everyone to access and enjoy. I seek diversity in my clients, vendors, suppliers and trades.
All of my services can be provided on-site or virtually, no matter the client’s location. My interior design service provides a comprehensive design plan for clients to easily execute in their own time with my support and consultation along the way to bring it to completion. This includes floor plans, customized furnishings and décor selection, sourcing of color, fixtures, artwork and more. My styling consultation service is a one-time design direction consultation and decorative guidance for your whole space or focused assistance with one particular element (fixtures, finishes, color, etc.). I also offer home staging consultation for people who want to get top dollar when they sell their home. I make recommendations for increased home buyer allure, guidance on enhanced décor and decluttering, as well as curb appeal and cosmetic repair suggestions.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Don’t be shy! Put yourself out there virtually and in person. Join a local trade organization or industry networking group. Reach out to other professionals you admire and buy them coffee or lunch. This is one of the most valuable things I’ve done. I made a shortlist of local designers who really resonated with me, and I cold messaged them, letting them know that and asking to meet. And we did—leading to great advice, new information and referrals.
Offer to collaborate with other entrepreneurs to leverage each other and build each other up. For example, think how you complement another business’s service/product and how your values align. Create a giveaway for their followers and your followers to enter. This is an easy way to increase your exposure to a new audience that is likely interested in what you do.
Get involved in your community— volunteer, donate, attend special events. First, because it’s just good to do good and our communities need us. And second, because it can lead to organic connections with others who care about the same causes you do. These are folks you would probably want to cross paths with anyway, so why not seek them out and deposit some good karma together?
Contact Info:
- Email: kara@karahobbsdesign.com
- Website: www.karahobbsdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kara_hobbs_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karahobbsdesign/
Image Credits
Cate Black Photography Kevin Garner Photography
