Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Lawrence.
Amy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always enjoyed being creative. Whether it was planning an event, creating unique gifts, or making a space more beautiful, it’s something I’ve always loved. I am fueled by beauty, and that can be found in so many different forms. For me, I can find inspiration in a unique visual merchandising at a favorite storefront, a shared photo from a fellow designer, or an artist whipping out a funky piece of art. I really do love it all.
I started Amy Joyce Designs about ten years ago, and it was a very scary step for me. In my college years, I was all over the place from studying Education to Marketing to Psychology and then finally landing on Interior Design. Although I knew I had the creativity, I struggled with the confidence to think that I could actually “manage” a business. I worked with another very talented Interior Designer prior to stepping out on my own, and I guess I thought that I never really deserved that opportunity myself. It took me years to really make the decision to start Amy Joyce Designs, and even at that time, I was really unsure about it.
When I first started, I would do just about anything for anybody if I was getting to be creative. I was painting custom wall designs, and even things like hand-painting kids’ names on lawn chairs for a professional athlete’s kid’s birthday party (every kid got one, how cool is that?). If I got asked to do it, I did it. I loved creating art for spaces, even if those spaces weren’t designed by me.
It wasn’t until a couple of years into starting the business did I really get to start embarking on the interiors. I have always been a very “community” oriented person, and when I first started working on spaces, most of my clients were family friends or people I had already connected to in the community. Maybe they were doing me a favor, or maybe they actually believed in me. But either way, it sparked the confidence in me to keep moving from one space to another. I had a lot of repeat clients that would move me from space to space, and I really enjoyed it. Every space was another block of confidence that kept pushing me to think more and more outside the box, and I loved it.
I felt like something was missing though, because I always knew I wanted my business to “give back”, and for the first 4-5 years of working on my own, I felt like I was just hustling for the dollar. I knew I wanted to connect Amy Joyce Designs to something bigger than myself, so I would always try to be very generous throughout the year with donations, giveaways, and other tangible items, but I knew that there was a deeper purpose and connection I was longing for.
About five years ago, I got asked to be a part of a Local Girls Mentoring group here in Rockwall, TX. The invitation was by a dear friend who always knows how to get me out of my comfort zone. I started helping with the group and just dove right in (amazing what can happen when you lean into the leadership of others, right?). I decided to start “giving back” to our group through the sales of my commissioned art pieces, so now every piece created gives at least 10% back to our group. We use that to take the girls on fun outings in the community, supplies for our activities and create a safe place for them to just be themselves.
I’ve also connected Amy Joyce Designs to our local Meals on Wheels chapter here in Rockwall, where we fervently work to keep our Seniors and the Disabled fed and safe in their homes as long as possible. Through chairing their yearly Gala event, and other involvement throughout the year, I’m able to use this platform of design to connect and educate on our community on this growing need we have. It’s been so much fun to really do something that is about so much more than anything I could do on my own.
Amy Joyce Designs is now a full-service interior design firm, and I couldn’t do it without the team that helps make it happen. My full-time employee is my right-hand girl and a big part of my life. We offer services for new construction, remodels, and even just “refreshing” a space with furnishings and accessories. I love to create the art that pulls each space together and it allows me to leave a thumbprint on my spaces that make them each unique. We have also started selling the Design Inspiration boards through my website for the DIY’er that wants to tackle the project themself.
This business is about so much more than design to me, and the relationships that are formed along the way are something I can carry with me always. My clients become great friends, and that has no price tag. My two young daughters are learning to love creativity in all forms and fashions, and I love the process. It’s been a journey of learning and pushing and challenging myself daily, and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years hold for Amy Joyce Designs!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not smooth! I’m a creative by nature, but not a business owner. LOL. I love people, but managing people is a totally different ballgame. I do think though that through previous experience and a solid foundation (my family taught me how to keep my integrity and have strong character despite life’s curve balls), I have been able to navigate through it. I also have mentors who help lead me when I am at a loss.
Currently, we are in the COVID-19 crisis, and that has forced me to think outside the box and restructure some things. It’s been good because it makes you realize how much time is wasted sometimes. I’m still connecting to people virtually, and also so much more mindful of the dollar during these times. I have had my share of pain and struggles, but I always go back to my two daughters and think, “if this situation were happening with one of them, how would I want them to be equipped to handle it?” I have an amazing counselor who keeps my wheels oiled up, and who is constantly reminding me of the truths. It’s not been an easy road, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
We’d love to hear more about Amy Joyce Designs.
I’m a full-service Interior Design firm, and I have a full-time employee, Kayleigh, who runs all of my AutoCAD drawings, digital mood boards and keeping me on track (which is a huge responsibility). She is a UNT grad and a very hard worker. She’s been with me for over two years and we make a great team.
We have all sorts of projects from guiding someone along the way during the new construction process to remodeling a home, to just sprucing up a space with paint and accessories, plus we now have a variety of Online Design Services to offer. For my Remodels, I have an amazing team of trades (contractors) who run all of the ins and outs of the labor for my projects, and I have worked with them all for many, many years. I have worked with a variety of builders in the Dallas metroplex and now working on so many projects virtually due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
I would say what makes me different is the transparency I provide to my clients and the relationship formed along the way. I am a strong communicator, so I”m very upfront about pricing on the front end of a project. I can be honest in a gentle way, and I can listen to the wants and needs of my clients for each space we work on. I don’t push anything on anyone, but I do believe people come to me for a fresh look, not trendy, and something a little unexpected. Most of my projects tend to be in the transitional style, but I also get some really fun eclectic projects as well. I also love that I can create custom art for each project that is specific to my client’s taste and style. I’ve even started creating digital artwork for the digital inspiration boards I sell on my website. I thought that was a great way to keep my thumbprint on those who want to DIY a space themselves.
I’m proud of how I’ve handled my projects over the years (there have been some very difficult ones as well!), and I’m proud of my team and how incredibly hard we all work. We never give up, no matter how many obstacles we may run into. This business has a lot of moving parts and A LOT of variables, so honesty is key. We genuinely do pour our heart and soul into each project, no matter the size.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would spend more time with mentors and learning how to best run the business side of things. I would start from the beginning with confidence, especially when it comes to charging for my time. Anything having to do with money made me so uncomfortable for about the first 4-5 years, and I probably was severely undercharging. But my confidence was built and I learned to appreciate my time and the services I offer. I would also have started off more organized! I have half a brain of creativity and half of the organization, so sometimes I live in organized chaos. That’s a constant battle for me to work through though and I intentionally place people in my life who are better at it than me. Actually, one of my best friends is a Professional Organizer and she has helped me tremendously (and my clients!).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amyjoycedesigns.com
- Phone: 214-695-1774
- Email: amy@amyjoycedesigns.com
- Instagram: amyjoycedesigns
- Facebook: amyjoycedesigns
- Pinterest: amyjoycedesigns
Image Credit:
Meggie Taylor Photography
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