Today we’d like to introduce you to Timmi Blackshear.
Hi Timmi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I graduated with a degree in Art History and played volleyball collegiately. It seemed like a natural progression to go into high school teaching and coaching. I feel like I blinked and ten years had gone by. I was blessed to have an incredible career as a high school coach but hit burn out year ten. During this time, I went to graduate school and received my Masters in Sport Psychology in 2020. I’ve always tried to fulfill the creative side of me in other ways, but I think the fact that was lacking in my everyday career was always something that I felt. This past school year brought on some unique challenges, and I left in March of 2022.
Fortunately, I grew up with an incredibly talented and creative mother and a business-owning father. It was in the couple of weeks after my departure from public education that I was able to process, evaluate, and really consider what my dream job would look like. I evaluated my strengths and love of home organization, sourcing unique and fun home decor, and design. I wanted to merge these passions, which is what led to the creation of The Curated Fort. I feel like the organization, administrative, and self-discipline side of teaching and coaching helped me tremendously be ready to jump in and start my own business. I applied for my LLC, and have been in operation since April of 2022 with my home organization services and celebrated the retail space opening in June.
As with any small business, it has come with challenges, evaluation, and assessment. One of the challenges was closing my retail space at the end of August, and transitioning to my online presence as well as pop-ups in and around Fort Worth. My home organization services have evolved into focusing on sustainable organization when at all possible, using the clients’ containers and even special pieces in the organization systems. Sustainable organization minimizes the purchasing of containers and minimizing waste when possible.
I love the ability to meet new people through the hunt of great pieces, the creativity of home and retail styling, as well as the satisfaction of making people’s lives more beautiful and simple through my home organization services. My background in Sport Psychology has helped me tremendously in knowing the effects of clutter, even subconsciously. I love helping others declutter, and create new routines and rythmns which in turn actually helps create new neural pathways so they can not only maintain the organization but learn to create new organization systems themself moving forward.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
To say it has been a bumpy road would be putting it nicely. Small business ownership is not for the faint of heart, a get-rich-quick scheme, or for the weak. In order to keep putting one foot in front of the other and move forward, you have to be able to discern truth from lies. By that, I mean really being self-aware of where you are hardest on yourself and being able to remind yourself even in the times you feel like it’s a waste, it’s a failure, and you aren’t good enough for (insert task here), you have to be able to quickly turn it around and remind yourself that you are, you can continue to learn, and you can in fact keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I’ve learned how much of entrepreneurship really requires finding your people. There are so many family and friends who have supported me through referring me, sharing on social media, working at a pop-up, unloading or loading for a pop-up, and then all of the amazing followers and clients I have found along the way that have encouraged me to keep going.
I’d say some of the biggest struggles are all of the learning curves. Can I say it’s all been a struggle for me? As a small business owner today, you are required to be business savvy, an accountant, administrative assistant, stylist, buyer, visual merchandiser, artist, scheduler, and content creator! I’d say realizing what works and what doesn’t work for you whether it’s store location, pop-up shows, marketing avenues, it’s all a learning process because it’s all so specific to your brand and business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in home organization, decor, and sourcing in Fort Worth and surrounding areas. I specialize in sustainable organization which is only buying organization products that are absolutely necessary for a client, but keeping it minimal and using the clients’ pieces as well as heirloom or sentimental pieces in the organization design. I have a background in Sport Psychology, so I know the subconcious effects clutter can have on our minds and mental health. The use of the homeowner’s already-owned pieces, hopefully, gives them a sense of joy when they reach for the spatula out of their grandmother’s old pitcher in the kitchen, or grab the K-cup from their mother’s vintage canisters. I love using a wicker trunk that was gifted to my parents as a wedding gift over 35 years ago for my excess blankets and books in my living room. I always tell people to decorate their home and keep it organized with items that remind them of people or memories they love.
I would say, I am known for my curated collections of vintage and antique decor, rugs, and art. There truly is something for everyone and often used in a way you wouldn’t have thought of previously. The number 1 rule in decorating your home is “there are no rules”. If you love it, you’ll find a place for it.
I would have to say I’m proud of how far I have come since April, all that I have learned and continue to learn, and most of all the friendships and relationships I have gained along the way.
My education in psychology and art definitely set me apart from other home organization services. I am able to help talk to you through the purging process, declutter in a positive way, and create a realistic system that truly aligns with your goal and your needs. I can create systems that spur routines and rythmns that turn into habits. This helps create new ways of doing things, a new way of living that benefits your overall mental health and brings more joy to your life and your home. My art background allows me to see things not only from a functional standpoint but one of design and beauty. Again, I love to incorporate vintage and antique pieces that allow a one-of-a-kind and eclectic feel that truly represents you whether it’s in the organization or styling process. I aim to show you how to perfectly curate your home, so it’s perfectly you.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck, and that’s even coming from a prior high school coach. I believe in working really hard, knowing and using your strengths to your benefit, and treating those you come across with kindness. It’s amazing to me how small the world truly is, and I believe there is good in every situation even when we don’t deserve it. God’s goodness and grace have been plentiful in my life, more than I have ever deserved. I think this allows for empathy, compassion, and patience which we all need from those around us. I think being that person encourages others to want to spend time with you, refer you to others, and be someone people don’t just want to do business with and support, but have a friendship with.
Pricing:
- Hourly Pricing for Organization Services
- Percentage Pricing on all Sourcing Services
- Something for every price range in curated decor
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thecuratedfort
- Facebook: @thecuratedfort
