Meet Veronica Sanders | CEO + Principal Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business came from two places, the adage of “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and the African proverb “Each one teach one”. I was on a journey to discover my passion as I didn’t ever want to be someone working at a job for years, simply for the paycheck. I wanted to be fulfilled in my work and have a career I’m proud of. When I discovered the interior design profession, I was hooked! I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset and have been in leadership positions as far back as I can remember (ie. lead in a stage play in 6th grade, front and center at the step show in junior high and high school, and president of student chapters and educational ambassador in college). As a natural-born leader, I think business ownership was always a goal, I just had not intended on starting my business when I did. When the firm I was working at was restructured, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to do what I love and to take ownership of my creativity, time, and finances. I wanted to do what I love on my own terms. In addition, I mentor design and architecture students and am often approached by colleagues on how I took the leap and got started. So mentorship is another branch of my business in which I pass on knowledge, especially to those in my community. If I can help someone, be it a homeowner creating their personal oasis or a colleague taking the leap to business ownership, that’s what I want to do. All reasons for why I decided to start my own business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In my profession, I walk the fine line between being a creative and professional practice. I think some may take for granted that although I LOVE art and love to have fun being creative, I am a business first, but both are equally important in my day-to-day operations. My design assistant and I sometimes play music and dance in the office to get the creative juices going. Work hard, play hard for work-life balance. What sets me apart in this profession are what I call the three E’s: Ethnicity, Education, and Experience.

African-Americans make up about 1% of the profession of interior design. Even further far and between in my home state of Texas. I don’t see myself as the bottom of the totem pole though, rather a unicorn. I’m a rare find worth more than rubies. It hasn’t been easy being the only one who looks like me in a room, but I stand in my worth and overcome those fears by just being myself! I love that those in my community are seeing more representation in this field and can hire a designer that relates to them, but also know that no matter who you are, my goal is to create a great design that reflects YOU. My unique perspective can help make those dreams come true in a creative way.

I value my interior design education as it has truly set the foundation for my career, and to be an educated black designer (after being only 1 of 3 in my class my entire educational career) is icing on the cake. There are so many learning curves I was able to avoid and has helped push my business forward instead of just going it alone with no design background. My education has helped make my business processes efficient as the programs and software I learned in school make projects flow much quicker and working with other professions (ie. contractors, architects, etc.) much easier. I finished school with architectural knowledge that the real-world experience has only expounded on. I’m happy to say I’m one of those designers that can add school-taught technical skills to my creative eye for holistic design.

The school of hard knocks has also taught me some hard-earned lessons as well. Volunteering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and working in the design profession as an intern to professional is a value I won’t take for granted. I have experience in various fields of design such as residential, hospitality, healthcare, commercial, and design for television. Having experience in all of these avenues is another rare find in other designers and one I think definitely sets me apart. My unique background helps me approach design in a creative way; working with the end goal, health, safety, and welfare of everyone involved in mind. Another nod toward holistic design.

It’s these three E’s that helped me get to where I am today as a business. It’s what helped to build the tough skin I’ve developed over the years to overcome challenges and take risks. Overcoming challenges of going back to school as a non-traditional student, being a leader as a student and professional, doing what it takes to gain the necessary skills has taught me to keep pushing towards your goals and that in order to achieve what you want, you simply have to put in the work. Hard work on top of your unique skillset brews a recipe for success. It was that hard work (and a risk) when I decided to enter the design competition by Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry. That competition win was one of the most proud moments of my career, especially getting the opportunity to meet her in person. I’m sure it was one of my husband’s most excited moments as well since he was my special guest to meet her with me. Together, the three E’s, is why I worked so hard in my career and in school, winning scholarships and competitions for my designs. I wanted to be more than a statistic, I wanted to surpass them, doing what I love.

I believe that beautiful design can be approachable and comfortable. With my work ethic and array of design expertise, my design firm has the secret sauce to transform a space into something special. Something to truly call your own. Where you can live authentically you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

There are so many great locations in Dallas to immerse yourself in culture, education, fun and exciting people. My best friend is so spunky so I think she would love to room at the Virgin Hotel in Dallas. It has such a fun vibe and colorful atmosphere, that you will sleep and play in a world of pop culture, luxury, and full of life! We’d head down to the restaurant for the breakfast tacos. Love! Then we’d head to Freedmans Cemetery (I know! Sounds daunting), but it is a hidden treasure where we get to learn about our history. This burial ground of Dallas’ first African-American population from 1861. The grave markers have such interesting information and reminds us of the freedoms we take for granted daily.

From there, we’d lighten the mood and immerse ourselves in the surroundings at the Dallas Museum of Art touring other local museums and then we would catch a midday live play at Kitchen Dog Theatre. My bestie and I love a good live art show and concert with good eats and some of the most interesting creatives can be found at Art Co Inside & Out, The Bomb Factory and The Free Man Lounge in Deep Ellum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are quite a few people that deserve credit and recognition in my story: My husband Jermaine Sanders, my mentor Mikel Welch, and all who supported me on my journey. It’s because of the support, love, and encouragement of my husband that I was even able to finish school. I started my design education at a private school in 2008 and left due to the high cost (and a newborn). Four years later, I went back to school to earn an associate’s, then transferred to a University to earn my bachelor’s degree in 2018, each time starting from scratch when I transferred. My education was 10 years in the making, which is why I don’t take it lightly. If it wasn’t for my husband holding down the fort and wiping my tears during those all-nighters as a full-time mom, I don’t think I would have made it! I gained so much real-world experience from my mentor Mikel Welch. I worked with him behind the scenes doing home makeovers for the Steve Harvey Show, celebrity homes, commercial shoots and his own firm. It was through working with him that I learned the essence of high-end design and navigating the profession as a successful black interior designer. His guidance has helped me push forward and not settle for less. And of course, family and friends who have supported and encouraged me as well, coming to my graduation and always cheering me on. Thanks to everyone who has truly been a support!

Website: https://www.designwithveronica.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithronnie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/55292288/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DesignWithVero1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesignWithVeronica

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzRRdZ0DqOzBOtVf_4SlGSQ

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DesignRonnie/_created/ Houzz: https://www.houzz.com/pro/designwithveronica/__public

Image Credits
DVS_5.jpg (Credit: A Bacot Company Productions) 052121_Veronica_KathyTran_7347945 (Credit: Kathy Tran) 052121_Veronica_KathyTran_7898117 (Credit: Kathy Tran) Momcave Reveal_Veronica Sanders.Thompkins (1) (Credit: A Bacot Company Productions) Garrett -1 (Credit: Matti Gresham Interiors) Garrett-13 (Credit: Matti Gresham Interiors) Garrett-61 (Credit: Matti Gresham Interiors) Garrett-82 (Credit: Matti Gresham Interiors)
Matti Gresham Interiors