Community Highlights: Meet Lou Watts of Lopez Watts Interiors

Hi Lou, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Honduras, however, I grew up in the DFW area, which is what we now call home with my husband Stephen, our two humans and I’ve lost count of how many furry babies my hubby has brought home (giggles). Unlike most, interior design was not my passion originally. I really did not know what I wanted to do career-wise. In 2009, I earned a Bachelors of Business Administration with a Concentration in Entrepreneurship from Dallas Baptist University. All I knew is that I wanted to be my own boss eventually – to own a business. I was influenced at a very early age by my grandparents. My grandfather had a work ethic like no other person I have met and was a true philanthropist. He gave large and often, especially to charities here in Dallas and throughout Texas. My grandmother had the style of a movie star- I think that’s where my love for beautiful designs originated. After years of hard work in corporate America, I felt disconnected and transitioned to the interior design industry seamlessly. I realized I am most content as an entrepreneur and decided to start my design studio in the Fall of 2020. While I did not attend design school, I have gained so much knowledge in the field over the years and thanks to an invaluable mentor I have been fortunate to collaborate with. Everything has come to me naturally – I am able to be creative! I have learned the ins-and-outs of the trade over the last few years, and I am still learning every day!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing is easy, right? I majored in business administration but now design beautiful spaces – go figure! I think I needed to better understand the back end of what we do in order to come back to what truly inspires me. You need to have a thick skin – I’ll say that much. This is a field with very few minorities. So yes, it can be challenging at times but I strongly believe that it is very rewarding to see how much joy your work brings to people. Plus, who doesn’t love shopping, right?! I also get to do it for a living, what a blessing!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lopez Watts Interiors?
At Lopez Watts Interiors, we are not just changing the way a room looks, we are designing an environment that will influence every memory you create in that space for years to come. Every project begins with getting to know our clients. During the initial consultation we discuss the process, scope of the project, and client’s goals. We then move forward to the design phase. Once the client approves the design we move to the procurement phase in which we do all the ordering, tracking, and project management. Personally, I get the most joy from the implementation phase during which we install everything and have the big reveal. Clients love this the most too!

What’s next?
I am so blessed to get to do what I love daily! I would love to continue to do everything I am doing now, but on a larger scale. Ultimately, I would like to expand and reach new heights allowing me the opportunity to open-handedly give to educational institutions, hospitals, and countless other charitable organizations. I am a giver by heart! I think that’s the biggest legacy my grandparents left me. I am currently a board member of the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and a member of the Dallas Baptist University Women’s Auxiliary Board too. There’s no telling what the next 5 years hold…stay tuned!