Whether you're here to learn more about me or more about yourself, you're in the right place. I love writing these posts because of your feedback and interactions. Even if you've only gotten this far into it, let me know that you're here by sharing, leaving a comment, or by booking your personal design consultation.
Big fish, binational pond
As honored as I was to be in a region recognized by the World Design Organization, I also felt deflated throughout the process. Much of what my expectations were and what actually happened throughout the year, were very different. The first discrepancy was monetary. At some point, someone mentioned that the WDC would rake in $1+ billion dollars for our region. Not sure where they were getting their data but I can assure you that it probably cost us more in resources than anything.
"Tad Parzen, president and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, told the San Diego Business Journal that the award would generate 4 million visitors, [...] This level of tourism, they claim, would lead to the creation of some 50,000 new jobs with a total economic impact to the San Diego/Tijuana region of $1.5 billion." The San Diego Reader
Lot's of speeches took place. Yet no one talked about how hard it's been for designers this year; scraping for business and pivoting by force. Or how our best non-profits were struggling to find funding. Or how many people actually lost their entire wellbeing. Rumors of negetive happenings within the organization itself had been surfacing all year. Leadership was sparse and/or sabotaged and yet, everyone had an opinion plus an eyeroll. It made me wonder if the WDC'24 was simply a reflection of how our two cities actually treat each other. Or how the powerful treat the powerless? Was it all a scam? That's a much deeper conversation. I'm still looking for meaningful demonstrations at the border, long-lasting international headlines, and opening the cross-border portal for good. Or at least a show on HGTV...
"Â I embody the essence of the happenings around me." - Steffi
Talking about myself for just a bit.
Why? Because I don't brag enough. I experience ego death most days and my humbling entrepreneur experience is enough to keep my head down. Yet, here I am; looking up, meeting your eye, to express the infectious optimism that drives me. I embody the essence of the happenings around me, reflecting and unlocking innate biophilic tendencies in my work.
Thirty years of doodling meets the vibrancy of acrylic, the intricacy of henna, and the stark contrast of black ink. These innate mediums, paired with an architectural skillset twenty years in the making, result in creation of spaces that are free-flowing and vibrant! This is the link between my art and design. It's all within and you inspire me to express it.
Let's take it back to '20. I was super-specialized in demountable walls and all things millwork. I was being pushed deep into project management, procurement, management and sales. I craved to be more client-facing. I wanted to speak up and speak publicly. Most importantly, I wanted to lead. Fast forward to 2024, I'm actively doing all of it. Even the pesky project management parts, with my own business.
The Risky Part
I have zero competition. Seriously, who needs all that drama? No one can do exactly what I do -- how I do it -- when I do it -- with the same quality of service -- and with this much swag (translation: inherent style). I encourage you to look at yourself in the same way. Even when you find yourself in competitive situations, remind yourself that no one else is you. It's up to you to be as uniquely you as possible.
Here's what's birthing me into my best designer self.
This bit is the proof that I do not compete. It's a whole list of everything I've thrown my beret in for this year. The things that worked and the noodles that fell off the wall. I am sharing this list with you so that we all know what's working and what I am attracting. It's like an energetic audit. I encourage you to do the same with your year thus far. It really helps to determine what kind of magnet you are.
List of accomplishments.
World Design Experience - InnovateHER: A Start-up Showcase
World Design Experience - Finding ourselves in a Circular Economy @ Humble Design
Black by Design Panelist and Design Excellence, Innovation, & Leadership Award Recipient
Climate Café At Fox Point Farms
Juice Hut Project Management Completion
Black Entrepreneurs Master Class Host (you will see more on this soon)
Zero Waste Networking Breakfast Event
Treedom Co-op Board of Directors
Humble Design Day of Joy
Docepiedras Signage, International Design Bid
My client celebrated a year in her new space <3
Tijuana Design Week - Croquet Mexico Tea & Tour
SDGBC to USGBC CA transition with Women+ in Green
Joining 7+ networking groups
Completing year 2 of Women+ In Green Chair term
JG Color Studio Project Management assignments (big shout out to Jen Gurien, she's amazing)
Meanwhile, in imposter-syndrome-land...
It's important to list my failures because some things are simply out of our control. This is where I bumped my head against the wall. This is where I learned the most, and met my energetic match. That's ok. I was throwing spaghetti at the wall and these are the noodles that were so undercooked, they bounced off. It doesn't mean I didn't throw them with everything I had! What's that old saying? If the mud ain't flyin' you ain't tryin'... Here's that dirt I promised you:
List of failures
World Design Capital Pavilion bid - missed
Mirrors Mirrors exhibition @ SD Airport reject
Artist Residency with SD Made Factory reject
Missed Bid to Black-owned Tax Office
(residential client)'s Termination of Contract - because I tried to specify a wool chair to a vegan, oops...
Missed Bid to Tijuana House remodel - lost in translation?
Anyone who's ever unsubscribed from my email list (more rejection)
Connect SD Art show reject
Ghosted by Fantasy Suites even though they loved my work
Didn't get on a billboard... yet.
Didn't land that HGTV show... yet!
WDC Pavilion Bid, work example for Steffi Reyes-Thomas, Created with Midjourney
Major Growth
The most unexpected part of all of this: my entrepreneur sense is blossoming. That part of me came out of thin air. It's a testament to the chronic individualism that has overtaken my generation. How else was I going to pick and choose my clientele? My schedule? My connections?
While I may not know how to become the next Frank Lloyd Wright, I certainty infuse my work into every aspect of my life and my life into every aspect of my work. I can hardly have a conversation without talking about my business.
Signature Style - Takes Time.
For most of us working with the built environment, style is sometimes at the whim of our clients. I have a lot more luck because most of my clients' spaces are light, bright and airy with a tendency to be artsy and chock full of plants. If you compare the café I did in normal heights to the co-working office I did in Carlsbad, CA -- you'll find about a million plants, tons of daylight, bright walls, and the overall feeling of focused serenity.
Designing Hope
Let's explore this idea of signature before you go: It's an identity that's attached something we've left behind. A fingerprint that is unique to us. We celebrate people who can do it all; and everything they do, looks like they did it. Frank Lloyd Wright designed in many different verticals and everything is instantly recognized as his work. Are they all the same? No. That's my path. The hard part, that only exists in my head, is making sure every piece is perfect! realizing that's not going to happen nor is it ideal.
The next obstacle/opportunity is tip-toeing a line between learning and becoming overly specialized. Experimenting and creating predictive results. Creativity vs Capitalism. It's all one in the same. Instead of choosing the one thing that makes me money, I also choose life. I'm mixing it up a lot and it shows in this year's run. As I write this, my career projection is as vast as it gets on all sides of the border - which gives me so much hope.
I'm blossoming again. See you in the field! -Steffi
P.s. Share this post and leave a comment! I love hearing from you.
P.P.S Let's get your design consultation on the books! Ready when you are my love!
Hey Steffi, Valerie here. Saw your email in my inbox pop up and thought I’d check it out. So nice to read how you’ve been with all your successes and tribulations. I’m just a text or phone call away if you ever want to reconnect. Wishing you many blessings in 2025. <3 Valerie.
I love this Steff!!! You just took me on a journey. So proud of you and what you have accomplished and what you have failed at. Hope to see you soon!