Promoting Wellness at Work - Yoga, Dogs & Active Feet.

 

Sometimes many small efforts manage to come together and turn into something much larger and far more impactful than originally intended or anticipated. This is how KSA Interiors discovered that we had tremendous influence as a company on how well our employees and team members live their lives through promoting wellness.

Wellness for us began as something we did not entirely realize we were doing, at least not in an organized fashion. It simply began with an awareness of how much harm a sedentary - sitting at your desk - lifestyle can cause. Slowly, awareness blossomed into a full-fledged effort to eat better, work better and live better.

This week on Tuesday, February 12th, KSA Interiors will be recognized by Sports Backers as an "Active RVA Certified" Employer.

We appreciate the accolade, but far more important is what this means for our team and how it impacts our daily lives.

In 2009 KSA's CEO Kim Schoenadel asked if there were any way we could bring exercise into the daily routine at KSA. We soon hired a Yoga instructor, Sonia Stoeckli from Spiritual Flow Yoga, to lead our team in an after-hours yoga session each Thursday. Bringing Sonia into the office spurred a revolution at KSA of various team members becoming champions for wellness in the workplace.

One of our former team members, Joanna Yates, took a deep interest in Yoga, becoming an instructor on her own and leading our team through "Yoga Breaks" intended to get us out from behind our desks.

Yoga, was soon followed by weekly wellness updates lead by Gillian Bowman, who took the lead in helping to internally promote healthy eating and daily habits. Afternoon walking groups soon formed, as did "Daily Health Checklist" competitions, and weekly Zumba classes held within our offices.

In our second year of the checklist competition, Gillian noted that many of our team have commented to her on the benefits of the program - whether it is related to better sleep, healthier eating, or the occasional better fitting pair of pants!

By 2013, we had not only incorporated an active healthy lifestyle into our corporate culture, we also incorporated it into the way we do business.  In January 2013 our workspace was renovated to change the way we collaborate, interact and work. Wellness and ergonomics were prime factors in developing our new work styles. Standing height work tables replaced conference tables, and sit-to-stand adjustable height desks replaced cockpit style cubicles. 

Sara Lasseter incorporated this aspect of wellness into the design solution she championed for our offices "We are always told the risk of living sedentary lives while being seated all day in the office. Having the flexibility to adjust the desk heights for periods of time not only changes my posture but I am often more apt to move and stretch while still being connected to my task".

 

Wellness of course does not stop with the challenge to improve our physical selves and environments. After reading several studies on the emotional and mental benefits found from inviting pets to the work environment, KSA embarked on a "Dog Days" program where we invite our furry pals to the office the first Friday of every month.

"We all look forward to Dog Days" states Heather Croy. "Whether it’s your dog or someone else’s, having them around creates a happy buzz around the studio".

The best component of our wellness program however is the way it galvanizes our team around supportive goals and camaraderie. Whether we are engaged in personal challenges to lose weight, training for a race, or engaging our competitive spirit, we have found that the shared experience with our co-workers sits at the root of our success.

KSA is proud to join the list of companies working to build a more healthful workplace, and hope our experience will encourage others to do the same. Here is to good health, and shared wellness with all our friends in the greater Richmond community.

Perhaps we will see some of you on one of our lunch time walks, or at the next Innsbrook Corporate 4 Miler? Feel free to join us as well in our Daily Health Checklist competition. You can contact us at info@ksainteriors.com for more info!

KSA Announces Multiple Promotions

KSA Interiors is pleased to announce several promotions for key members of the KSA team! Karen Burton, Melissa Moseley, and Sara Lasseter will each be expanding their leadership roles at KSA as Associates within the organization.

We are excited for the opportunities before each of them, and know that their talents and leadership will drive KSA's future success.

Please join us in congratulating Karen, Melissa, and Sara for their hard work and dedication!
  
You can read the entire release here:

Sharing the gift of friends and family this holiday season

Our team would like to extend heartfelt holiday wishes to all of our clients, partners, friends, and families. In our 30th year of business we are proud to celebrate all of our accomplishments, and know that they could not have been achieved without the support of our community.

We look forward to a new year and more opportunities to share the gift of design.
Best wishes for a happy holiday and new year from KSA!

Giving Thanks and Sharing the Love of Food.

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”
– George Bernard Shaw

This Thanksgiving our team would like to share a few of our favorite holiday recipes. We hope your home can be inspired by a few of these dishes which we have shared with our own families.

Sweet Potato Casserole
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 8 whole raw sweet potatoes - see note below!)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 stick butter
1/2 cup  milk (or half and half for extra special goodness!)
optional:  add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and just a bit of nutmeg

Topping:
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1/3 stick butter melted
1 can coconut


Prep:
1. Mix casserole ingredients and pour into a greased dish.
2. Mix topping and apply to top of casserole.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Note:  Buy the raw sweet potatoes and bake them in the oven at 375 degrees for about an hour and a half.  Cut the potatoes in half and line a baking sheet with Reynold's wrap and then clean-up is easy!  You can just scoop the sweet potatoes out of the skin and then you don't have to peel them.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

1 ½  tsp. whole cumin seeds
2  15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1  15oz can sweet corn, drained
1  red pepper minced
1  small purple onion, minced
3  cloves garlic, crushed
½  cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
½  cup fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/3  cup freshly squeezed lime juice
½  tsp. salt
1  tsp. crushed red pepper (or to taste)
½   tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Handful of grape tomatoes, quartered (optional)

Prep:

1. Toast cumin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant, stirring frequently.  Be careful not to burn them!  2. Put cumin seeds into a large bowl and add all other ingredients. 

3. Stir until well combined. 

4.  Make this several hours to a day ahead as all the flavors need a little time to blend. 

Butternut Squash Soup:
2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large sweet onion, chopped
3 parsnips, peeled and chopped*
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 (12-oz.) packages frozen butternut squash, thawed**
5 cups low-sodium fat-free chicken broth

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
Garnishes: sour cream, chopped fresh chives

Prep:
1. Melt butter with olive oil; add onion and next 4 ingredients.
2. Saute 20 minutes or until onion is caramel colored.
3. Add squash and chicken broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring often, 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat; let stand 1 hour.
6. Process squash mixture, in batches, in a blender or food processor until smooth.
7. Pour mixture into a 6-qt. slow cooker.
8. Stir in whipping cream, paprika, and cumin.
9. Cover and cook on LOW 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

* Peeled and chopped carrots can substitute for parsnips.
**1 (3- to 4-lb.) butternut squash may be substituted. Preheat oven to 400°. Cut squash in half; remove seeds. Place squash, cut sides down, on a lightly greased aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 45 minutes or until squash pulp is tender. Remove from oven. Let cool 20 minutes. Scoop out squash pulp, discarding shells.


 Super-simple Mac & Cheese:
 5 cups cooked macaroni (2 cups, raw)
2 cups small curd cottage cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 egg, beaten
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
8 ounce shredded cheddar
1/4 cup Parmesan
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Prep:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine cottage cheese, sour cream, egg, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir in cheddar cheese.
3. Gently add cooked macaroni. Spoon into a greased 3-quart baking dish. Top with Parmesan and paprika.
4. Bake about 40 minutes or until set. Do not over bake. Serves 8-10.

 

Iced Pumpkin Cookies:

Cookies: 
-1 cup butter
-1 cup sugar
-1 cup pumpkin
-1 egg
Mix well.

Add:
-2 cups flour
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon salt

Prep:
1. Drop by teaspoon onto baking sheet.
2. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Icing: 
-3 tablespoons butter
-4 teaspoons milk
-1/2 cup brown sugar
Cook until dissolved.

Prep:
1. Let cool.
2. Add 1 cup powdered sugar and 3/4 teaspoon vanilla.
3. Mix well.
4. Spread onto cookies. Enjoy!!

3 Step - 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake:
 1 Box moist spice cake mix
15 oz Small canned pumpkin
12 oz Cream cheese icing

Prep:
1. Just mix a box of spice cake with a small can of pumpkin and pour into desired pan.
2. Bake according to the spice cake recipe- about 30 minutes and let cool.
3. Once the cake has cooled, spread cream cheese icing over the top and enjoy!

Honoring Freedom and the Independence of a Strong Economy

This Independence Day KSA wishes to thank our many clients, vendors, manufacturers, and industry partners who work together to make America great.

We believe in hard work, and the mission of bringing interior space to life. We are all shaped by the environments in which we live, work, and play - and at KSA those spaces we design help define us.

Our team not only works hand in hand with institutions such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, General Services Administration, and Army Corps of Engineers; but is also an integral partner with the private enterprises which drive our economy, and the public universities that foster innovation.

Let's honor America as we design the built environments that shape us. Let KSA help your organization or institution find the American products & resources that build our great economy and ensure our liberty.

"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

General Services Administration

Dominion Virginia Power

Rappahannock Community College

2011 - A Year in Review at KSA Interiors

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

- Winston Churchill

At KSA we have lived by these principles for the last twenty nine years. As we aproach our thirtieth year of business we hope to reflect on the last year and the many ways we have been influenced by our community.

Leadership –

Defending the right to practice.

As 2011 has come to a close, the interior design industry in Virginia has been roiled by the proposal by Governor Robert F. McDonnell to deregulate “Certified Interior Designers”. KSA is a firm supporter of the interior designer’s right to practice and has taken the lead in the effort to educate the Virginia legislature on the importance of Certification in Virginia. Working with the Council for Certified Virginia Interior Designers (CCVID), as well as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), KSA has actively promoted the benefits to Certification in Virginia while dispelling common myths and stereotypes.

Deregulation creates barriers to business by selectively eliminating competition between design disciplines and establishes potential barriers to state and federal projects, as well as the permitting process. Interior designers face additional restrictions and discrimination in regards to scope of work, board membership within professional corporations, and interstate commerce.

Most importantly however, deregulation removes protections for the public. Interior designers play a key role in protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the inhabitants of interior space. Interior designers are the sole professional body focused on the relationship between human beings and interior spaces. People spend in excess of 90% of our time inside buildings. Interior designers are the ones charged with space planning, materials selection, and furniture, fixtures and equipment selection for commercial buildings. These choices directly impact people's abilities to function effectively, and to remain safe in the case of emergency. Wuite simply, interior designers have the greatest impact on the safety of building occupants in regards to interior content.

2012 will prove to be a very important year for KSA and the interior design industry as a whole. If you are interested in learning more about this issue, or are interested in how you can help, please contact KSA or your state representatives.

You can learn more about the facts of Interior Design regulation by following this link:

http://ksainteriors.blogspot.com/2011/12/leave-virginias-protection-for.html

Qualified Professionals

A number of KSA team members expanded upon their qualifications in 2011. Heather Croy and Erin Riggan passed the NCIDQ exam and joined Ruth Deibler in becoming CID's (Certified Interior Designers) in Virginia. KSA is proud of Erin, Heather, Ruth, and our many other Certified professionals.

Reinventing the design process – and how we serve our clients.

KSA spent much of 2011 reinventing how we deliver inspired design solutions to our clients. The first half of the year was devoted to building on the previous year’s corporate retreat where we investigated ways to place service to our clients at the core of our business. The end result was a mindset we like to refer to as “Best in the World”. Built around five keys to service, “Best in the World” is rooted in one primary insight – what is best for each of our clients is an entirely relative thing. Learn more about “Best in the World” by reading our e-book here:

Best in the World

http://www.slideshare.net/cgooddesign/best-in-the-world-e-book

The second half of 2012 was devoted to ways that we could improve our design process based on the lessons we have learned in developing the “Best in the World” mindset as well as in learning from the best practices of the design industry. The result was the KSA Way – a design methodology developed through the investigation of processes developed by KSA as well as design leaders such as IDEO, Apple, HOK, and others. Combining aspects of Design Psychology, Evidence Based Design and Design Thinking, KSA created a design methodology tailored to its needs and the practices of its clients. Learn more about the KSA Way design process by viewing a short presentation here:

The KSA Way

http://www.slideshare.net/cgooddesign/the-ksa-wayprocess-story

Wellness –

For the last several years KSA team members have had the great fortune of receiving yoga lessons taught by Sonja Stoeckli. Each Thursday afternoon Sonja visits KSA’s Richmond office to host classes for our team members. What began as an opportunity to release stress and promote fitness has become a movement within KSA. Our wellness initiative has expanded and grown to include not only yoga, but also a company-wide weekly wellness dialogue and the encouragement for a number of KSA staff members to become pre-dawn running partners, join their local gym, or even sign up for the 140.6 mile Ironman Triathlon.

Beyond KSA’s desire to promote wellness within our firm we were thrilled when Richmond was awarded the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships, and with the recent plans by the city to make cycling an integral part of our city’s framework. Cycling, like running, swimming, and many other wellness activities around the city not only promote individual wellness but they also engage and bond the community.

KSA looks forward to 2012 as we are excited by the opportunities that lie before us and our city in regards to promoting wellness across our hometown. If you are interested in how wellness can improve our local community, we recommend you visit our friends at Richmond Cycling Corps. A non-profit organization that provides leadership and personal development to Richmond’s urban youth through the sport of cycling.

http://www.richmondcyclingcorps.org/about/

http://www.spiritualflowyoga.com/default.aspx?PageId=8

Community –

Real World Design Week.

Over the course of two days in November, KSA played host to over a dozen aspiring interior designers currently enrolled at universities and colleges across the state. RealWorld DesignWeek represented an opportunity to share our passion for the design industry with the next generation of up and coming professionals. Students shadowed our design staff, attended CEU presentations, met with the firms leadership, business development and marketing staff, and asked lots and lots of questions. At KSA we have the highest level of respect for interior design education and are passionate about sharing our knowledge and insight with young designers.

Engaging Peers, Clients, and Friends.

KSA has continued its commitment to the design community by sponsoring events, hosting CEU’s and taking a leadership role in organizations such as ASID. KSA’s Mary Katherine Crouch joins a long line of KSA team members who have either served on the board of the Virginia Chapter of ASID, or who like Mary Katherine, have taken the helm as Chapter President.

White Elephants and Habitat for Humanity.

KSA’s design staff donated hundreds of hours of volunteer work to the Virginia Chapter ASID White Elephant Sale, raising over $30,000 for Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Over 300 people attended the event which featured modern furnishings, art, jewelry and other fine items. The newly renovated Hippodrome Theater played host to the event and set an appropriate tone for all those who support the mission of Habitat and the revitalization of Richmond communities.

Photo Credit: Chris Anderson Photography

Photo Credit: Chris Anderson Photography

Giving –

Ft. Lee Holiday Helper.

For the last several years KSA has participated in the Ft. Lee Holiday Helper program, a wonderful way to thank and give back to our troops. The soldiers are able to browse and select gifts for their children from a wide variety of donations from the community: plush toys, electronics, jewelry, games, clothing, books, and a wide variety of other items. "Elf" volunteers help the soldiers navigate through the gifts and answer any questions they may have about items. Volunteers can also offer their services as a holiday "wrapper". All the gifts may be gift-wrapped and tagged, so they can go directly under the tree! It is a very fulfilling way to serve those who serve us.

Toys for Tots.

In keeping with tradition KSA combines its annual corporate holiday party with a drive to collect toys for the Marine Toys for Tots program. Selecting gifts to represent our team members is a fun way to say thanks and share interesting personal stories. Even better it provides us a great opportunity to donate to a great cause. If you are interested in getting your team more involved with the marine Toys for Tots Foundation, visit the website today!

http://www.toysfortots.org/

http://www.richmondhabitat.org/

KSA on Inspiration:

For our business cards here at KSA, we are asked to come up with three “likes”, or things that inspire us. Trying to narrow down my interests was not an easy task. I finally decided on sketchbooks, collecting, and DIY projects.

I feel it is very important for anyone, not only artists, to carry around a sketchbook. I use mine not only to draw but to jot down ideas, take notes, and write to-do lists. As you know, solutions to problems do not always come to you while sitting at your desk. Instead, they come while you’re at the grocery store, sitting in a waiting room, or having dinner at a restaurant. Keeping a sketchbook within arm’s reach can help capture these ideas and thoughts when they occur.

Collecting. I can blame my mom for this one. She has collections of tea pots, buttons, shells, and other knick knacks sprinkled throughout her house. Now that I have inherited this fascination with finding items to add to a collection, I have realized I think the challenge of how to display them is even more exciting. I once worked with my dad to design a wooden display to showcase my glass swizzle sticks. (I have no idea how or why I accumulated a swizzle stick collection) but the test tube-like holder is so unique and beautiful it makes a great conversation starter.

Along with sketchbooks and collections, I love DIY projects. I am constantly looking for potential in my surroundings. Whether it is interiors, a forgotten piece of furniture, or a garage sale find, I can’t help but think about how I can use it for an art project. Since moving to Richmond, I have walked by tons of abandoned furniture on the sidewalks. Most of the time there is a reason the person left it but you can occasionally come across a real gem. For example, I recently found an ugly, maroon hutch that I just knew had potential and could not pass it up. With cleaning and a few coats of paint it looks brand new! There is typically a lot of trial and error with these projects but I find this is a good thing. I learn about new materials and techniques and try to improve with each venture.

Whether it’s drawing in my sketchbook, collecting, or do-it-yourself projects, my three “likes” help express what makes me, me. This creativity that I surround myself with in the evenings and weekends carries over into my work here at KSA. Surrounding yourself with things that inspire or make you happy in your everyday life is essential to having a positive and productive workplace.

Gillian Bowman

KSA on change:

 I am an Army Brat.  By the time I started high school at 14, I had already attended 6 schools, lived in 9 towns and settled into 13 houses.  I’m also an ISTJ personality type that doesn’t like change according to Myers-Briggs.  You can imagine how that could be a challenge.  Thankfully, my years as an Army kid taught me how to roll with it and come out stronger on the other side. This is my tried and true strategy.

Accept the new reality.  For many, the gut reaction to change is fight or flight – either resisting with everything they have or running away from the situation and pretending it isn’t going to happen.  News Flash – change is inevitable.  Whether a new gray hair pops up on your head or new technology renders your current skills obsolete – change happens every single day.    The sooner you can accept that, the easier it is to move forward.  

Embrace it!  Now it’s time to figure out how you want to live and who you want to be in this new world of yours.  This is an opportunity to shake things up!  A health issue could be the motivation to take better care of yourself; a rough economy might prompt you to streamline your business or learn new skills to make yourself more marketable.  Formalizing key goals will help to propel you forward.

Make a plan.  As Winston Churchill said, "He who fails to plan is planning to fail."   I’m a planner by nature so I do this as a matter of course in everything - projects, shopping, flossing, whatever – I’m a firm believer.  But, if the idea of mapping out goals and actions overwhelms you, take heart – there are plenty of resources online and in your local bookstore to help enhance your planning skills.  A little investment in time figuring out what methods resonate best with you will reap many future successes.

Execute the plan.  You can develop the greatest plan in the world but it’s not doing you any good unless you take action and follow it.  Otherwise you’re not only spinning your wheels but also (if you’re like me) worrying about it.  So do yourself a favor and work your plan!  You should also be prepared to modify your plan down the line because, as we know, change is inevitable.

Following these steps has helped me through countless transitions, big and small, and has made me more resilient and willing to take chances.  It has given me the confidence to know that I can persevere no matter what happens that is outside of my control. 

Change is on its way.  Are you ready for it?  We’d love to hear what works for you!

Heather Sullivan Croy, CID, ASID, LEED AP

KSA Recognizes Cameron Stiles for 25 Years of Service.

Cameron C. Stiles, CID, FASID, LEED AP has been recognized by KSA Interiors for 25 years of dedicated service.

Kim Schoenadel, CEO and President of KSA shares some thoughts on Cameron's history of service.

I like to tell people, “Cameron Stiles has been with me at KSA Interiors longer than I have been married.” In December this year, I will have been married 25 years. That is a long time. It is also a testament to the steadfast nature of Cameron’s commitment to the profession and the dedication she has brought to KSA Interiors. Here are the things that Cameron Stiles does better than anyone else I have ever met in our profession.

• Cameron takes care of KSA clients in a way that has kept them coming back to KSA Interiors for years. I will never forget mentioning to one of our clients that she could contact me if she ever had any questions. She said, “Why wouldn’t I just ask Cameron?” Good point!

• She knows every code or code resource to ensure our projects are compliant. As the “go to” person at KSA Interiors for code guidance, Cameron can quickly provide you the code sections that need to be referenced. Trust me, this is really important as reading through code books equates to reading the complete manual for your car, your computer, etc. I think you get the picture.

• Cameron has gone above and beyond in her involvement in organizations impacting the profession of interior design. She currently serves on the APELSCIDLA Board that examines, licenses and regulates 35,000+ Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects in Virginia. Cameron has been recognized as a Fellow in ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers and she is also deeply involved with CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

Cameron Stiles is a proven leader. Having that kind of leadership is invaluable. I am glad she has been with us for 25 years. Here’s to 25 more!

KSA Interiors Countdown to 30

KSA Interiors Countdown to 30:

Lessons Learned at 29

by Kim Schoenadel, CID, ASID
KSA Interiors CEO & President

When I told my dad I was starting a business in 1982, he told me I could always get married if my business failed. I am proud to report my business will celebrate its twenty-ninth birthday on August 12th and I am happily married for twenty-five years. I have two healthy sons, one in his senior year of college and the other a recent graduate.

So, how did I succeed in business over twenty-nine years? Was it my astute business skills? Hardly, since I graduated in interior design, not business, and grew up with parents who taught high school. Looking back at my lessons learned over twenty-nine years, I can attribute my business success to two things. First, I have an abundant desire to learn and, second, I surround myself with the right people.

An abundant desire to learn is an innate skill I find intrinsic to designers. We cannot design without knowledge and we need constant education on all things impacting the built environment. Because I chose to own a business that does design, it necessitated the need to understand all elements of a sustainable business. Following are the business and personal lessons I have learned along the way:

1. Surround yourself with good people and take care of them.
My associates at KSA are good people. KSA works hard to take care of them and in return they work hard to take care of our clients and one another. There is a culture of respect, fun, and innovation.

It was not always like that. My “boss” role models in the past often used domination or coercion to motivate. One day I woke up and realized I was very unhappy running my business in a “boss” persona. With the help of my associates, we have worked hard to evolve into a group that supports one another. We are motivated by the desire to see one another succeed and we continuously nourish our abundant learning needs.

2. Understand that people have a work life and a personal life.
If there is not a good balance of work life and personal life, the person will suffer and the business will suffer. A business that respects the desire of people to engage in personal endeavors or to build strong families will develop an engaged and committed staff. Family understandably plays a large part in the lives of our team. Children grow up and go to school and become involved in activities. Parents need to be there to see that. It makes us all better people.

3. Be fiscally conservative.
I don’t take a lot of chances with money. I invest in things that will improve the quality of the work we do. This means the people at my company and the tools they need and the environment we work in.

4. No man (or woman) is an island in business.
The elements of a sustainable business are not just producing a product, but understanding the finance, operations, and business development required to support that product. In design school, a student is focused on the end product. The parameters of getting work and producing it so it is profitable is left up to their future employers. Not being schooled in business left me no choice but to rely on others to make business decisions I did not always comprehend and sometimes regretted.

Enter the Virginia Council of CEOs. The VACEO is a group of small business CEOs who connect with other CEOs to learn from each other and grow their businesses. The organization holds meetings and an annual retreat offering world class speakers that talk about current issues impacting our businesses. The VACEOs quickly became my pseudo board of directors and business advisors. Joining VACEO is one of the best things I have ever done for my business and for myself. Life before VACEO left me constantly stressed. Being able to share experiences with other CEOs allows me the opportunity to make sound business decisions. No man (or woman) is an island in business.

5. Nothing lasts forever.
If you have the majority of your business with one client and they go away, you stand to lose everything. If you ignore technological advances, you will not survive. Think Yellow Pages, Blockbuster, Borders, etc.

Abundant learning is the key to maintaining a sustainable business.

6. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
The world is full of people who are purposely devious. “Cheaper, faster, better, and get rich quick,” are buzzwords that infiltrate our lives. Early in my life as a business owner, I hoped for a magical solution that would make life financially easier. Unfortunately, I chose to work with companies that did not pay us and, sadly, never intended to do so. I had a gut feeling that they were not the most scrupulous people, but I chose to work with them anyway. After all money is money, right? WRONG! What I learned is you need to know who you are doing business with. I made a conscious decision that our clients would be financially sound entities that were represented by decent and honest people.

7. Give back to those who need your help.
This can mean charity work or being involved in professional organizations. My greatest joy comes from teaching or mentoring students. I still remember seeking employment after graduating when there were gas lines and double-digit interest rates. A gentleman from a professional interior design organization took the time to meet and told me about an architectural firm that was opening an interior design division. That was my entrance into a successful interior design career. I always want to be like that gentleman and offer help so other students can enjoy success in life.

8. Enjoy what you do.
I am absolutely passionate about the business of interior design. I satisfy my creative needs by watching my associates design. I enjoy watching my company execute well and applaud those who make it happen. I enjoy writing about my profession. I am having fun right now writing this article. Maybe a novel in the future…

9. Laughter is the best medicine.
The ability to laugh has carried me through good times and bad. Laughter and happiness resonates at KSA. We enjoy what we do. We enjoy each other. And, we really enjoy the clients we work with.

This is not the first time I have written about my lessons learned. In my excitement to launch KSA Interiors Countdown to 30, I went back to articles I had written over the years. It is fun to see where my company has been, but more importantly, it is fun to see where it has gone. Hiring people that are smart, talented, and possess leadership qualities is a hallmark of KSA. I want people who are passionate about what they do, possess an abundant desire to learn, and become integrated in our sustainable business.

The KSA Interiors Countdown to 30 will be filled with visions of our people, our culture, and our accomplishments. Stay tuned. We may even have some pictures of you!