Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Sanders.
Hi Veronica, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up not knowing much about interior design, but my best friend tells me that even as a child, I was interested in Interior Design. We just didn’t know what it was then. I would be at church drawing plans of my dream house and making a scrapbook collecting magazine photos. It wasn’t until roughly 2005 when I actually discovered the profession. I was a teen mom and didn’t have much direction when it came to my career. So, I was working odd jobs, trying to find my niche. I knew I had a technical ability because I was fond of computers, but I wanted a creative outlet. One day I was in our little apartment, somewhat newly married with 2 small children, reupholstering my dining room chairs as an outlet from being frustrated with my job as a bank teller. I would binge-watch HGTV, Will & Grace, and just admired the creativeness of their careers when my husband suggested that I look into that as a profession.
I started doing research and fell in love with design! I started taking online decorating courses but couldn’t find work as firms were looking for designers with a degree. In 2008, I enrolled at a private school and left a year later when I welcomed my 3rd son to be a stay-at-home mom until he was school-aged. Determined to continue my education, I enrolled in El Centro Community College in 2012 and did 2 years there (starting from scratch because college credits didn’t transfer), and then I transferred to UT Arlington in 2014 to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design. Again, starting over because classes didn’t transfer. I earned my degree in 2018. Hard fought for!
I didn’t want to take for granted my education, and I wanted to show my kids that you can pursue your dreams at any stage of life, so I gave it my all while in college. I took on leadership roles in design organizations, volunteered with non-profits like Habitat for Humanity and Dwell with Dignity, showed up at design events…anything I could do to get my hands dirty and LEARN the profession. That also included doing internships, which is where I met my mentor, Mikel Welch. I worked virtually with him primarily (he was in New York, and I was in Texas) on luxury residential projects for celebrities, home makeovers for the Steve Harvey Show, and massive event planning projects for the Neighborhood Awards. I’m so grateful for his tutelage as I learned so much about residential, hospitality, and luxury design.
It was working with him (and the support of my family, especially my husband) that I began to understand what I can accomplish as a designer given the skills I acquired in the workplace and in school. I’ve won many design awards as a result, and one of my most cherished accomplishments was an opportunity to meet Halle Berry for a logo design competition win that was a fan favorite. That experience let me know I was capable of being an amazing designer and even my own boss! I worked my way from intern to Project Manager with Mr. Welch and then transitioned to work at other design firms practicing Healthcare and Commercial design before starting my own firm in January 2020 focusing on luxury residential design.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has NOT been a smooth road, and yes, an emphasis on not haha. In my background story, I touched on it a bit. As I was earning my design education, I had to start over twice. Once when I transferred from a private college to a community college. And when I transferred from the community college to a university. That experience taught me three things: 1) Don’t give up on your goals & dreams. 2) You can make it through this. 3) Hard work pays off. I truly EARNED that degree as it was basically 10 years in the making.
It was also difficult being a second-career student and pulling all-nighters in school as a full-time mom of 3 and being the 2nd oldest in our class. I didn’t relate to many of my classmates as I was in a different phase of life, and my work ethic was also much different as I had more to prove to myself. Then my father also experienced a brain injury that almost claimed his life. It has been a rough road for sure. But I didn’t let life circumstances get in the way. I kept my eye on the goal and kept pushing. It’s how I approach all my design projects, as I understand that it’s the key to success.
We’ve been impressed with Design with Veronica Sanders, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in creating bespoke interiors that inspire meaningful experiences at home. Meaningful experiences don’t only happen in the bustle of city life, a secluded beach, or an exotic locale. They can arise right in the comfort of your own home if you have the right design that fits your personality. Our designs are holistic, which means creating comprehensive spaces of thoughtful consideration, designed with you in mind. Its education honed through experience and tailored to your senses.
Our minimalist approach sets the foundation for our designs. We don’t focus on any definitive style or era. Instead, we work closely with our clients to capture your essence and personality coupled with your unique lifestyle and perspective – all while paying tribute to what matters most to you. We do this through sleek features met by stately patterns, blended raw materials, edgy accents, modern & vintage, and a pop of color seamlessly blended together to elevate each space and define your version of luxury.
I’m blessed and proud of the many accomplishments we’ve had prior to and within our company. Some of these include being published in ShoutOut DFW, Business of Home, Luxe Interiors + Design, Realtor.com, and more. We offer full-service, white glove interior design from furniture to renovations and new builds, online design, and consulting for the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and beyond. We’d love to discuss your design needs through our complimentary discovery call, which can be conveniently scheduled on our website: https://www.designwithveronica.com/book-online
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Dallas is a city of creativity and opportunity. I love visiting the design districts because it’s where my passion for interior design takes me, but there are so many other areas that have rich culture like music or art! The first time I walked into the Design and Arts Districts, it felt like walking onto an episode of Project Runway. The hustle and bustles of creativity that is always in motion made me feel at home with my husband who happens to be a musician as well. As someone who grew up around art–a family of artists and musicians! –I also love being able to appreciate fine arts right outside our front doorsteps at any given moment.
I least like the homelessness in our city. It really breaks my heart to see so many people not being able to enjoy the comforts of home. There’s so much pride, security, and safety that a residence brings, and I wish everyone had a joyful place to live and be themselves. It’s something I hope I can change someday with housing initiatives I would like to implement in the future. I’d like to make use of abandoned motels and hotels by transforming them into transitional housing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.designwithveronica.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithronnie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designwithronnie
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/designronnie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzRRdZ0DqOzBOtVf_4SlGSQ
Image Credits
Kathy Tran
Matti Gresham Interiors
A Bacot Company Productions
