Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzan Hurley.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am an insatiable creative who loves people, treasure hunting, celebrations, and making life beautiful. I am a wife of nearly 29 years to my high school sweetheart, Adam, and a mom to Alexis (22), Brandon (21) and Lacey (17). I also have an amazing son in law, Joseph, that we welcomed into our family last June.
My life and my story are all about simply doing what I love and letting God lead me into my work through simply following the passions He has put inside me. I spend my days using the gifts and talents He gave me to create beautiful spaces and celebrations of all kinds. After teaching elementary school for several years after college, I became a mom and chose to stay at home with my kiddos. I was blessed to have a mom of my own who loved spending time with them which gave me the freedom to start dabbling in helping friends decorate their homes and celebrations. Over time, friends began recommending me to their friends, and within a couple of years, Suzan Hurley Design was born. That was nearly 20 years and hundreds of projects ago.
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?
I think anything worth pursuing with passion will always come with struggles. You can’t go all in without experiencing the highs, the lows and everything in between. For me, the struggle often came in the form of finding balance between wanting to say yes to every project and staying true to being fully present in the life of my family. As an entrepreneur, there are no set boundaries, so I have had to do lots of trial and error with time management, best practices, and only saying “yes” to the endeavors I am truly excited about. Because my passion has always been the catalyst to my work, I often have to stop and remind myself that I have limits to what I can take on. Living out my highest calling of my relationship with God, my family and my community has to stay at the top of my priority list or things get out of balance and I lose the joy in my work.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Suzan Hurley Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Suzan Hurley Design is best summed up by my favorite quote, “I will make everything around me beautiful, that will be my life”- Elsie DeWolfe. I create beautiful spaces and events through really seeing and understanding the people behind the space or event and translating their “essence” into my creations. It is really an organic process and much like a painting, it evolves as it is layered until the finishing touches produce a product that speaks not only to the eye but also to the heart. I know this sounds cliche, but it really is true. It is what I am most proud of. While still staying current, I actively avoid copying designs from what happens to be “trending” on Pinterest or at market. When a space or celebration reflects the personality of the person or people it is designed for, it tends to feel timeless. A perfect example was my daughter’s wedding. Like most brides, she had all the pins on her board. The inspiration for her special day came loosely from those ideas, but the details we executed exuded her personality and their love in a way that created memories of an emotional response for those who attended. If a room or celebration makes people “feel” something, I have done my job.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My greatest adventure to date, other than raising a family, is renovating a 100 years old farmhouse that my husband and I purchased in Fredericksburg, Texas. Although it was literally falling apart, is in a historical district, which prohibited tearing it down. It has become our “labor of love” and will hold lots of memories for our family and the AirBnB guests who choose to stay there. I have been on endless hunts for vintage and used furnishings, lighting, and special touches. My garage has basically become a restoration workshop where I am constantly learning a new painting or antiquing technique to turn someone else’s trash into my treasures. The part of the house I am most excited about is the outdoor claw foot tub where guests can take a bubble bath under the stars. Adam and I are really looking forward to this new adventure as Air BnB owners- who knows where this endeavor may lead us! God always has something exciting waiting in the next chapter and we can’t wait for this one to unfold.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.suzanhurley.com
- Email: suzanhurley@gmail.com
- Instagram: suzanhurleydesign
- Facebook: @suzanhurleydesign
Image Credit:
Carolyn Rife Photography, Kelsie EmM Photography, Adam Dubich
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