Age is a funny thing sometimes. When we are young it often feels like the summers are never ending and sweet 16 is so far away. Before we know it, we are graduating high school, getting ready to figure out what is next in our world and receiving loads of advice that whatever we do, to “live now” “enjoy THESE days” “don’t rush through” all while attempting to make what feels like at the time, the biggest decisions of our life. Choosing not one, but many paths. Career, relationships, geographical and financial to name just a few. Here’s the thing though — we can often forget, just because we start with one direction that does not mean it cannot be changed later, regardless of our age. I’ll say that one more time, regardless of our age. Sure, there will be times that we look back and say, “If I only knew or I should have started when…” but, give yourself a break – you don’t know what you don’t know and more often than not, it takes going down a specific path to lead you to the one that you were meant to be on all along.
Wendy’s husband works from home so after six years of city living (again) they opted to choose somewhere a little more southern and landed in historic Charleston, SC in which they have called home now for nine years.
Naturally, life happens right along with the moves – career changes, new homes, kids grow up, life evolves. Wendy all of a sudden found herself looking for more for herself, which is a feeling many of us can relate to. She was truly craving a job or something just for her. She tried a few things, but none of them quite gave her the satisfaction she was looking for. Right along this same timeline Wendy and her family bought a home that needed updating. Prior to the home purchase, she and her husband had been renting for years. Wendy found herself becoming really excited and exercising her creativity with the décor and renovations. Two years later, that house sold and Wendy and her husband purchased their forever home and again, they did beautiful updates, decorating and renovating. The most interesting thing is that during both of these transitions, friends would make comments to Wendy about her talent for decorating & renovating. “It wasn’t something I really thought about. I enjoyed it so much I didn’t think of it as a talent or skill,” Wendy said.
Wendy enjoys a variety of projects ranging from interior design renovations and real estate flips. She is already starting to build her internal business infrastructure with a Junior Designer and Accountant Manager!
She didn’t think she could start a career at 40. She is not a formerly trained designer. She could have easily left her lack of credentials stop her from moving forward. Wendy chose not to. Instead, she took some design classes at her local community college, listens to podcasts and insight from other experienced designers, asks a ton of questions, uses Google & Pinterest often and has found some incredible mentors in her community that encourage and educate – not compete. Helllooo, Rockstar!! Way to not let anything get in your way and literally chip away at the “how” little by little as your business grew and you learned along the way.
Ironically, my age which I was hesitant about, is what gives me my confidence.”
Love the fact that Wendy feels there is enough for everyone to go around. Just as she would be inspired by other designers and learn from them, she enjoys when new designers reach out to her for guidance about how she started her career. “I think this world and market is big enough for everyone. I also feel like if competition threatens you then there is something wrong with your skill. If that makes sense. Encouraging each other just opens up more ventures, creativity and pushes your boundaries.”
Wendy’s Red Bra Moment: When blogger, Julia Marcum (Chris Loves Julia) featured her as an upcoming IG account to follow. “It was definitely a crazy, exciting and a “whoa…me? moment.
We’re telling ya, you have to catch the replay that holds so many other wonderful take – a – ways from our chat with Wendy about pursuing your passion and how to get started from the very beginning. One of our favorite parts of our chat with Wendy is when her amazing kids came through the door with big smiles and love for their Mom and asked us if their Mom was famous?!! Our hearts melted and yes, kids your momma IS doing some incredible things out there in the world. (Thank you Wendy for joining us and sharing your story. If there’s ever a time to start something new, today is the day. Thank you for inspiring us all to take the leap and just get it started)
Connect with Wendy here @wendymaurodesign and check out her gorgeous work here wendymaurodesign.net
Thanks for stopping by, you are so appreciated! We hope this story inspired you or someone you know on some level. We know it did us, please share away. Always wear that red bra underneath it all and make sure to join the party over @theredbraproject!
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Much Love,
Renee & Shawna
