Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidi Houdek.
Hi Heidi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo followed by a successful career in finance after graduation. But throughout my career, I always had an inner voice telling me, “this is not your path.” After getting sober a few years ago, I was finally able to trust that internal voice and get back to my creative self. I was able to remember who I am at my core. Accounting was a safe choice for me because it was completely objective. There was always a right and wrong answer. But creative work requires an insane amount of vulnerability. And I was finally at a place in my life where I could handle the critique and criticism that comes along with putting yourself out there.
Designing has always been something that has come naturally for me. When I was a little girl, I would create these crazy visions in my head and would try to bring them to life. Whether it be an outfit for the first day of school, my bedroom design (of course lots of teal and shiny black since it was the 90’s), or a halloween costume; I would obsess over it until I got it JUST RIGHT. Fast forward to now and not much has changed. I still love to obsess over creating beautiful spaces. I feel like designing is the gift I was given in this life, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be able to transform this talent into a career.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! I think the biggest struggle has been trusting my own vision and remembering to stay true to myself. My work is not going to be for everyone. I have a unique style and that is part of being a creative person. Learning to listen less to the part of myself that is a huge approval junkie has been a huge challenge. And knowing that self-doubt is just a natural part of being a human!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a boutique interior design firm based in Austin, Texas, providing services for both residential and commercial projects. Our aesthetic is primarily modern with a touch of bohemian influence which makes the space feel warm and inviting. We offer several services including room transformations, material selections for remodels, and new build guidance.
What sets us apart from others is our firm’s transparency throughout the process. We only take on clients that we feel share our vision. We think it’s super important for the designer and client to have a mutual respect for the process and one another. We are all about bringing peace and beauty into this world. Life is just too short not to enjoy the journey!
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
If you asked me five years ago if I was a risk taker, I would have said absolutely not. I was all about playing it safe and staying under the radar. But over time, I’ve learned that nothing is really safe. There is risk in every single decision we make in life. Also, nothing is really permanent either. We can change our minds along the way and choose a different path. So why not take a chance and follow your dreams? And I know if things don’t work out the way I expected them to I will just brush myself off and try again. I will always be okay no matter what the outcome. I am a resilient person who has been through a lot in my life. And if I am betting on myself, I will take that bet every single time.
I think every entrepreneur takes a huge risk when they quit their day job and decide to go all-in on their small business. And this is what I did a short time ago. At first, I was worried that nobody would hire me. But fortunately, that has not been the case! I was quickly featured by brands like Pottery Barn Teen and Article. That recognition gave me the confidence I needed to know that I was heading in the right direction. And to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Contact Info:
- Email: heidi.houdek@modern-hippie.com
- Website: https://www.modernhippiedesignstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernhippie_designstudio/
Image Credits:
Taylor Prinsen Photography Cate Black Photography
