Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Stange.
Shelby, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
What if I told you my business started with an orange door knob? More on that later. In March 2020 (yes, at the brink of you-know-what), my husband received a text with a message for me that read something along the lines of “I have a project that your wife may be interested in. Have her call me when she can!” Now, for more context, this text could have meant a few different things because I was pursuing a few different passions of mine at the time. Was it photography related? Stationery related? Was she interested in graphic design? Little did I know that what she was about to present to me would ultimately lead to the fruition of my design business.
Rewinding a little further back, it was the beginning of 2017. I was fresh out of college looking for a job. I had taken a couple of interviews but hadn’t found anything yet. My now-husband heard about a new custom home builder in our hometown on the radio but it didn’t appear that they were hiring. I decided to walk into their office anyway to drop off my resume & portfolio – What did I have to lose? The owner of the company called me right as I was pulling back into my driveway. Long story short, they created a position for me as their Design Coordinator where I drafted residential floor plans & assisted clients with their interior selections. It was a great learning experience and I’m grateful for the connections that I made during my four years working there.
Now, let’s go back to 2012. I was an undeclared freshman at the University of Texas at Austin and I decided to register for an Architecture course on a whim. That course lit a fire in me that ultimately led to me applying and getting into UT’s School of Architecture where I went on to earn my degree in Architectural Studies. I had always held a deep appreciation for and have been fascinated by thoughtfully designed spaces, but studying Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin truly deepened my understanding and honed my enjoyment of design.
Going even farther back in time, I stood in a Lowes isle in the 90’s picking out a door knob for my cardboard house that took up a good portion of the living room at the time. I proudly chose an orange one that my dad lovingly installed on my cardboard front door. Additionally, my childhood was also filled with extensive tent-building and creating rooms for my Beanie Babies by building “furniture” out of toilet paper rolls, tissue boxes, tissues, markers, and staples. I was quite innovative to say the least!
Fast-forward back to 2020 – That opportunity I mentioned? Our local Chick-fil-A owners were looking to remodel an old downtown building and turn it into a community space and office for their team members in a modern, industrial style — An absolute dream project of mine. My immediate reaction was “I’m not qualified for this” but with the encouragement of my husband, family, and mentors, I decided to go for it and I’m so glad I did. My first solo project launched me into a world that I had always dreamt of but didn’t know was possible. I can now proudly say that I am a small business owner and have served 20 clients and counting by providing floor plan drafting & design services.
So, my initial response to this question was that my business came about a bit unexpectedly, but after further reflection, I’d say that it had been in the works over the years all along through the passions I’ve pursued and the connections that I’ve made. God was weaving it together (and still is) all this time and it can all be traced back to an orange door knob.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m very lucky to have worked with such incredible clients over the past 2 years. Working with such great people really makes a huge difference and makes the struggles of running a business truly worth it. The most difficult part of running a business is definitely finding work-life balance. At the time of this interview I am a new mom to my six month old son and figuring out a healthy balance has been tricky to say the least. Creating boundaries, refining my process, and implementing systems has been key to my success lately. Running a business can also feel lonely at times – It’s so important to find a supportive community whether it be your family, friends, or other business owners.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Grey Feather Design Studio is a south Texas based design studio known for its thoughtful and creative approach to the space planning process specializing in floor plan design and 3D modeling that aims to maximize the functionality and aesthetic of any space. We are experienced in both remodel and new construction design ranging from residential to small commercial projects. The 3D aspect of our design process is a main factor that sets us apart. By providing our clients with digital 3D views that accompany their 2D design, each space can be visualized before construction ever begins. We strive to be mindful when listening to our client’s goals and pride ourselves on having great attention to detail that carries throughout our work.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson that I’ve learned is to trust my intuition. Small business owners often wear multiple hats and making decisions can feel intimidating at times. Accepting a project, declining a project, changing how you work – Only you can know what’s best for you. If I’ve learned anything during my entrepreneurial journey so far, it would be that trusting my gut is always best and things will work out how they are supposed to.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greyfeatherdesignstudio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/greyfeatherdesignstudio/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/greyfeatherdesignstudio/
Image Credits
Jenny King Photography Ink & Willow Photography
