Out of the ashes, a dream was born. It’s completely awe-inspiring to me how God moves in my life. I thank him daily for giving me a spark, and for allowing me to be creative and explore the little twinges of curiosity I often feel. I’m amazed at how an idea can become this energy all its own. I’m frequently humbled by the love Jehovah God shows me–little old me, and the momentum I gain from that. It’s just, wow….
Listen to me carrying on. I was just reflecting on how I got to this point in my life. I mean, just over a year ago I moved back home after the fire, and my contractor had done me all kinds of dirty with shoddy work, fabricated billing statements outside what the insurance covered, delays on top of delays, volatile interactions and unfinished spaces…. I was fired up with them, buddy. But for what it would cost in legal fees to fight them (and they fight dirty), I decided it was best to cut ties and use that money to finish the house. I still fantasize about fighting them though.
My cousin recommended a contractor who came in and finished up. He and his team did a great job making my home exactly what I wanted it to be. That turned into a full-fledged relationship yielding many, many projects completed together to date, in my home and for other clients as well. We just finished renovating several rooms in a single family home, built in the 90s. On to the next one….
I was sitting outside the client’s house, musing about how I ended up managing construction and design projects. I started thinking about the rush it gave me when my home was completed, knowing I had designed every aspect of the renovation. Okay, technically it’s supposed to be a restoration of what was lost in the fire, but the beauty in this was I used the budget they gave me to get what I wanted. I simply paid the difference for upgrades. That was when I knew I wanted to direct renovations for a living. And Signature Interiors LLC was born. It was so much more fulfilling than the little DIY projects I used to do around the house when I had no reno budget.
When my girlfriend sent me the real estate course link, it all started to come together, like an actual plan. All those years as an HGTV junkie didn’t even register with me until then–duh Floyd, if you’re gonna fix up houses, you might as well do some buying and selling for the commission! So yeah, I got licensed in MD and later in DC.
It’s funny, I hear people saying I publish project photos of my home out of arrogance, or some need to appear superior; truth is it’s free marketing. I managed a complete single family home renovation on a specific budget, with zero field experience prior to that. And it turned out better than I had envisioned it. I’m soliciting business, while admiring the gifts God gave me, and thanking him over and over for letting me go.
It wasn’t long ago I was sitting at my desk at my good government job, dreading the 10 years it would take to reach retirement age. That was a very different mindset, a very different outlook on life. With an idea, a few successful projects in the books, and permission, I began plotting my departure this past summer. And I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to change my circumstances.
So here I am, reinvented, rejuvenated, refreshed, walking in my purpose, at 48 years old–after everything. It’s still a little scary, not having a steady paycheck all lined up every two weeks, but God doesn’t set people up for failure, and he has never let me crash and burn. So, on to the next project. It could be yours. Give me a call, and we can absolutely discuss that.
Meanwhile, social media is a marketing tool for me to gain exposure, but recently I noticed a change on my Instagram page (makesignaturemoves). I’m not finding customers; I’m finding encouragement, from other agents and designers, construction pros, tradesmen and laborers who inspire me to keep going, with their posts about projects and ideas. I love it. I feel like I belong. I do belong. With every completed project, I’m more convinced of that.
So what’s your story? What obstacles have you overcome to walk in your purpose and love it? What is it you want to do, but feel you lack the time or resources to do it? Or just tell me something good. I love to see people happy, and winning. Let’s go, onward….
From the mind of Tonya D Floyd.
Make signature moves, with integrity.