Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaina Kay.
Hi Shaina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
First, I’m an Interior Architect & Designer located in downtown Dallas. I’m originally from Little Rock, Arkansas and I have a beautiful daughter that goes by Princess Sky. I’m one year in on my entrepreneurial journey, and it’s going surprisingly well. I began entrepreneurship because I wanted to make an impact in the design industry and the world. Starting my own design studio allows me to practice, study, and research design with an intimate focus. I can freely exercise my passion for design and deliver authentic projects. I like to create environments you will never forget.
I’m learning that I am a conduit for creativity. Ideas move and twirl through my thoughts, and I use that energy to produce physical environments we can all observe and enjoy. I believe most of us had a young & wondrousness mind that was imaginative and wanted to play & explore. We don’t utilize that part of ourselves too much as adults for many reasons, but it’s my job. Designing architecture and interiors was the only thing I wanted to do growing up. I believe my passion for design pushed me through the rough road and hard times. Architecture and design school is extremely hard & demanding, it’s expensive and was not a typical path taken for a young black female from a single-family home in 2005.
SK Design Studio |SKDS| originated when I saw a need to deliver diversified design to our society to help everyone feel celebrated and included. Our life experiences, backgrounds, and cultures shape how we perceive design, and it shapes the creativity inside the designer as well. Architects & designers are obligated to create usable safe environments. SKDS focuses on creating environments that are intuitive, universal, and ageless. Our goal is to be the most efficient with time as possible. We are approaching one year operating by this philosophy, and the organic growth of the business is a surreal confirmation to keep going.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our current challenges are working on funding to grow. We would like to expand our studio to give more designers the opportunity to learn and develop in a unique field. Development and construction are a big part of our economy, and they need designers.
Reserving personal and family time has also been a challenge. I have a young daughter that requires my care and attention. I eliminate sleep to gain time. Cutting sleep hours worked for a while but is not sustainable. Self-care and self-love are important on this part of my business journey. My goal for the end of the year is to structure my workdays to end by 2 pm.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
SKDS is an architecture and design studio specializing in hospitality design focusing on hotels. We curate the emotional experience of space on the luxury level. We have an extensive background in hotel design that allows us to introduce a hospitality design approach into different disciplines, such as corporate design, health care, multi-family and residential. We work with developers by using design as a tool to increase return on investment. We are here to help visions come to reality.
This year we are branching out our skills and reaching more into social engagement. We would like to share our expert hospitality knowledge with anyone interested in this type of design. Through our website, vlogs, and social media, you will be connected with the latest design products, luxury hotel tours, exclusive industry events, and more!
SK Design Studio welcomed two new designers this year. Our new project designer, Makiea Dixson, brings her technology and design skills to the team assisting on projects using Revit & AutoCAD. Kayla Royal is a recent interior design graduate from George Southern University. She brings her fresh ideas, graphic, and technology skills to the team.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My simple advice to anyone starting entrepreneurship is to Keep Going! Drive and persistence are qualities that are required. Starting a business can be hard and scary, but I’m not interested in boring & easy. I like to keep growing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skds.dallas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shainakay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKDesignStudioLLC
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shainakay/
- Website: http://hospitalitystyle.net/
Image Credits
Messiah B.
Dazzled by Jay
The Cornerstone Collective
