Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Winston.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I worked in the country music industry in Nashville for ten years and then decided I wanted a career shift. I worked on the management side of the music industry and wanted to explore my own creativity a bit more. I had minored in Art in college and decided to get some further education in Graphic Design back in my home city of Dallas. I got a part-time job at a boutique in Highland Park while I was in school and started reading all of these stories in Paper City and D Magazine about women who had built their own creative design businesses full of travel, independence and color! I thought that’s what I want to do!
During that time, I also took a very pivotal trip to Bali to visit a second cousin of mine who had a very successful jewelry business. She really encouraged me to lean into my own creativity and build the life I wanted for myself. After returning from that trip, I decided to start working with my family’s business Winston Floors + Countertops, to learn the ropes of interiors. They have a very successful word of mouth business that has been in the area for 30 years with a very loyal following. I went with my Dad to appointments, helped with samples, really all the grunt work of just learning a business from the ground up. One thing I did have was a strong background in Marketing so I completely revamped their online presence and rebranded them to Winston Interiors to essentially create a space for myself in the business! They were already doing much more than just floors and countertops so the rebrand made sense for them too. Thankfully, they went along with that! 🙂 While exploring the internet one day, I found a market seminar that was going on at Dallas Market and signed up using the Winston Interiors resale license. That’s when things really started to click for me.
The community I had been looking for was at Dallas Market and there were all of these amazing designers from all over the US speaking at the seminar. I spoke to several of them – Libby Langdon, Robin Baron… and they really inspired me to keep going. At the start it really felt like an uphill climb because I was having to learn all of the vendors, all at once, on my own. Then, it was time to put all of my hard work to the test. The woman who actually nominated me for this interview came into Winston Interiors with her husband for flooring, carpet, backsplash etc and asked if I also offered design assistance. They had just moved to the US from Greece and needed their entire home remodeled in 6 weeks, they weren’t bringing a stick of furniture! If I learned one thing in the music industry, you say yes and then figure it out. I said yes and with beginner’s luck I had a very successful first comprehensive design job. After that, Rachel Winston Design was born. I got business cards and eventually just started telling Winston Interiors clients that I offered design services and they hired me! It feels so good to be creating the colorful life I want like those women that so inspired me in Paper City and D Magazine when I first began this journey.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No I can’t say it has been a smooth road! I stepped into an exciting job in the music industry right out of college and although it wasn’t easy, it came with a lot of perks! I did the same thing for ten years and basically started over in my early 30’s. As it turns out, you know what’s really exciting? Having your own schedule and directly impacting people’s lifestyles with what you do. Going to Mexico City Design Week and other design events gave me that since of community I felt I had left behind in my previous industry. It’s been fun! Getting those first checks made out to Rachel Winston Design was a real thrill and a real confidence builder. I am so thankful to those early clients who believed in me and for my Dad who was so encouraging and supportive in helping me get clients in this new industry. He started his own business in Dallas in the 80’s so he knew first hand what it’s like.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Rachel Winston Design is unique because I really try to make remodeling your home a joint creative experience. I have a way of entering into someone’s vortex and coming out with much of their style all over me! I think that is a benefit because I don’t force my style on others – instead I streamline it and manage the project so that they feel good about the final product and can be proud of the result. I like to think of myself as the host on the journey introducing them to unique vendors, craftsmen and finds that I have acquired over the years. The list is long, particularly in Dallas. We are so fortunate to work in such an international destination for interior design.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Put your head down and do the work. In this day in time, I think it is easy to get caught up in image and branding but nothing beats just doing the work. The generation before us knew that and they have built successful businesses because of it. My parent’s business had almost literally no online presence but they’ve had the phone ringing consistently for 30 years from doing the work. I was fortunate to learn that from my Dad and have his encouragement while learning a new business. I have really enjoyed going to Dallas Market with him and sharing our mutual love for design. It has been a special time.
Contact Info:
- Email: rachel@rachelwinstondesign.com
- Website: www.rachelwinstondesign.com
- Instagram: rw_artxdesign
- Facebook: RachelWinstonDesign
Image Credits
Zach Warner, Zulu Whiskey
