Today we’d like to introduce you to Carisha Davis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Carisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I graduated college and moved back to Dallas to work and go to grad school when my inner creative bug really started to bite. This thing that I thought was merely a hobby really fueled me. I was so torn- I had this formal education in one thing that I really enjoyed, but my heart was somewhere else- designing. So, I was an English teacher and athletic coach for several years. I was “unofficially” restoring and redesigning old things, decorating new spaces in my own home and in the homes of friends and creating art and decor. But, it was one day when a dear friend trusted my design gifting and asked me to come alongside her and lead the design of her son’s nursery, that it became a reality to me that this was indeed my calling. When we completed the project, that sweet friend and her husband challenged me to consider turning my hobby into a business endeavor, an unspoken dream and prayer that had been in my heart for ages.
So, I started financially preparing, learning as much as I could about starting a business, soaking in as much wise business counsel as I could and praying. As the end of that school year was approaching, I knew it was time to step out and get the ball rolling. So, I resigned from my job at the end of that year and spent the next year birthing this baby called Ahava Home.
I stepped out in faith and Ahava Home is what has evolved from God’s provision and that leap of courage. To say that I am beyond grateful is an understatement. It is the greatest blessing to be able to do what I have always dreamed of doing. I started with $5K investment, a prayer and a lot of crazy faith. It started out as the scariest endeavor, yet has evolved into the most invigorating journey, and I am grateful for every season of it. To God be the glory, forever and always.
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?
Nothing awesome comes easy. And while this journey has not always been easy, it has been worth it. There have been days when I woke up wanting to sell all of the merchandise on Facebook or some online garage sell and calling it a day. But, on days like that I have to remember why I started Ahava Home and that realigns my focus. I love what I do and I love making homes beautiful. I have learned so much along this journey. It has made me wiser and has cultivated the woman that I am today. I have failed. I have taken wrong turns. But, you live and you learn. Our flops are never just for us to learn from. As I get to mentor and pour into the lives of younger businesses and business owners, these testimonies of mine become encouragement and helpful information for them. And that means the world to me. I am grateful for this entire experience.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Ahava Home strives to create one of a kind home decor that integrates the latest trends with very classic and traditional styles and colors. Every Ahava Home design is a bonafide rarity – raging with versatility and artistic expression. When Ahava started in 2013, we only sold lighting and handmade lamp shades. We have evolved. In 2015 we added linens and accent decor, and in 2016 we added fine art.
But it is the fine art that put Ahava Home on the map. I am the in house artist for Ahava Home and it has been a dream come true seeing my work in the homes of my sweet clients. I work to cultivate orchestrated yet abstract artwork for any space. My primary medium is acrylic and metal leaf. I paint on canvas and heavy weight paper, using a variety of palette knife tools and brushes. Every piece has a name and tells a story.
What were you like growing up?
Denise Huxtable 2.0. I was the creative and the free spirit. I was always creating, painting, and attempting to sew and design something. I would spend my entire allowance at the craft store or on music. Music was a huge part of my life also. I began studying music when I was 10. Art and music have always been a big part of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: ahavahome.com
- Email: info@ahavahome.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ahavahome
- Twitter: twitter.com/ahavahome
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