Meet Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25 in Greenway Parks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbe Fenimore.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a little girl, I was always re-arranging my room and changing little details in my dollhouse. My mother is a talented seamstress, so we would make new drapes and bedding for my dollhouse out of her fabric scraps. My obsession with decorating continued into high school, and I began dreaming up names for my future interior design business.

After graduating from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Interior Design, I got a corporate sales job as a product specification rep in the interior design industry. Although I loved what I was doing, after a few years, I was ready for a change. Opportunities to design friend’s new homes began to make me re-think all of the travel and pesky sales reports that were constantly stressing me out. It took my husband naming my firm, filing my DBA and telling me I no longer had any excuses not to start my business. I began to develop my blog and website late nights and on weekends, and before I knew it Studio Ten 25 was born!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I always thought I would have more free time and flexibility to do more things outside of work, but I went through a phase for about three years where all I did was work! I was up late, up early and sometimes dragging in between.

I have been very fortunate to have great people around me that have guided me as my business has grown. There is nothing worse than being called out for mistakes, but knowing that someone has my back who is willing to offer advice and solutions is invaluable. Although things will never be perfect, I try to keep a positive outlook when it gets a little shaky.

To be honest, I’m not sure that I would have listened to any advice or direction in the beginning because it was important that I do things on my own! That being said, I don’t regret how I started my business. I was able to figure out what was the best for the business and make corrections as needed in an organic way without feeling rushed or pressured. I knew that they needed to be a reflection of me. I was—and still am—exclusive in which projects I take on, as they need to be in line with my aesthetic and vision.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Studio Ten 25 – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’ve never met a vibrant hue I didn’t love or a detail too small to fuss over. I have a passion for color, drama and glamour that all combine for jaw-dropping interiors. My work is playful, without sacrificing sophistication; elegant, yet accessible; luminous and bold.

For me, I get the most butterflies from pieces with fresh patterns and texture! I love color, but the space must be livable.

If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
I would have hired someone to help me properly set up my accounting and invoice system. There were too many days of trial and error because I was too stubborn to ask for help. Always have a contract signed, invest in a bookkeeper or accountant, and trust your gut. You will never be able to run your business without these three things!

My husband is always reminding me to just “keep it simple.” My business is at its best when I am doing what I love and not worrying about all of the “noise” that can pull me away from my overall goals. Since I was a little girl my father told me “better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” And since I am a big talker, this advice (courtesy of President Abraham Lincoln) has come in handy so many times. I’m not perfect at it, but I always hear his voice inside my head telling me to zip it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studioten25.com
• Phone: 214.763.3040
• Email: abbe@studioten25.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/studioten25
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioten25/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/studioten25?lang=en

 
Image Credit:
Heather Hawkins
Melanie Johnson
Fort Lion Studio
Shayna Fontana

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