Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hargrave.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first started in the design world as a flipper and eventually a home builder. I bought my first home when I was in my mid-twenties, fixed it up, sold it and bought another, sold it, bought two, and so on. Several years later, my business had grown and I was running several different jobs and crews, building and remodeling for both homeowners and myself. Not only was I managing the build, but I was also handling design and interiors. I burned out after a while and my husband and I decided that I should just focus on the design aspect of the job that I loved. This experience left me with a very unique set of skills in that I am able to consult with other builders and developers on their projects, but am also able to specialize in new construction design. The last “project” that I did for myself was the building that my husband Erik and I own, which is now the home of The Collective. The Cochran Building, as it’s been known for decades was sitting in disrepair and in a sad state. My husband was looking for a new office and we wanted a project. The end result was a top floor that houses his team and a ground floor that houses The Collective. Today, we offer full service interiors, construction consulting, art consulting, staging, and numerous other services all under one roof.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been easy. I don’t have much experience in retail other than working at the mall in high school, so getting the store started was a culmination of things that I personally liked and hoped other people would to. I base everything around that concept: styling, art selection, and even pricing. If I wouldn’t buy it, I wouldn’t put it in the store. The biggest challenge is balancing our very busy interior design business with our retail business, but it’s starting to work together more and more with each passing day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Collective – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Collective is a full service interior design firm with a retail storefront and art gallery. We are located in a 100+ year old Greek Revival building right off the Swiss Avenue Historic District in Lakewood that we renovated a couple years ago. Each room in the store is fully designed from head to toe featuring refinished vintage furniture, Turkish rugs, custom textiles, wallcoverings, accessories and original art from around the country. Our taste level in conjunction with our price point really sets us apart from similar showrooms. Additionally, most of our items are one of a kind, so while you will see on trend items, you won’t see very many things that have been purchased from market or in large quantities. I am most proud of my team. We care about our clients, want to spend time with them curating an amazing space, and grow with each and every job.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I’ll admit, I don’t leave the bubble very often unless I’m headed to the airport for vacation. This tells me that I work too much and that I love where I live. Dallas itself is a very chic, always transitioning city, and Lakewood is a very special community within it. I love that people have lived here their whole life – they grew up here, left for school and want to return to raise their families here. That is very unique. Lakewood is SO supportive of small businesses and I can’t thank my community enough for being there for me. Dallas in all its glory is also a very fickle town. When you’re out, you’re out and sometimes it doesn’t take very long. Starting a new retail business in a constantly transitional city is a little daunting.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5838 Live Oak Street
- Website: www.thecollectivedallas.com
- Phone: 8177063470
- Email: info@thecollectivedallas.com
- Instagram: @thecollectivedallas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecollectivedallas
Image Credit:
Images 4 and 5 are by Jeremiah Jhass @42ndwitness
Everything else by Sarah Hargrave
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