It’s been a while since my last post and since then I have had huge change happen for me not only professionally but personally as well.

Ever since I was a little girl I have been surrounded by construction, design, and hard work. And, since then I have been in love with construction, design, and putting all I have into everything I do. I plan to keep loving design and to become the best designer I can through my own business.

The year I was born is the same year my Dad started his own residential construction business at the age of 24. Twenty-one years later he is still the owner of SGA Construction and doing very well for himself and the business.

My second childhood home built by my Dad and designed my Mom.

As of October 3rd, 2019 Skyler Shield Design, LLC has been in business. Owning my own business has been a dream of mine since I realized the passion I have for design. During design school, we were asked to take ten minutes out of our busy day to write out a timeline for ourselves to see where we wanted to be in the next 5, 10, 20 years from now. My goal for five years was to be at a high-end residential design firm as a senior designer, and by year ten owning and operating my very own residential design firm. Well, that ten-year goal happened a lot soon than expected.

Right after graduation I started working full time at SGA Construction working with clients in helping them choose finishes and materials to go into their home. This is a part of the design process that I have always enjoyed and will forever love to help clients with.

After a few weeks of helping with this side of the business I was ready to take on more and to learn more! Another area of design I found myself to be very passionate with was the floor plan drawing and architecture developing. This is a crucial step in for any type of building and is the first step in building.

One of my completed full set drawings. (First Floor Plan)

Elevations with necessary details for construction.

At the end of the summer, I was beginning to think I should start looking for a new job in a residential design firm instead of a construction firm. I had already learned so much from the construction side of design, I was ready to learn from an interior designer. Not an interior designer who places furniture with pretty fabrics but a designer who knows how to play off the architecture of the home with beautiful tiles, lighting, flooring, cabinets, and much more.

After about of month with no luck in finding a job of where I really wanted to be and learn more of what I love from a well-known designer, I decided to make a huge scary step that I never thought was possible until I was signing my business certificate.

I was introduced to an amazing opportunity by a Bertch Rep who is also a good friend of my Dads. We were brought the opportunity to sell cabinets through SGA Construction as another area of design to have under our belt. After, discussing it for a few weeks we decided it would be best for me to pick this up to create my business with.

At first, I was super terrified to take this huge responsibility on, I had no idea how to design a kitchen, not a single clue how to run a business, oh and did I mention super scary big move!!

But, after many sleepless nights and many conversations about the pros and cons with my Mom (my rock), I decided to take the huge leap and become a Bertch Dealer through Skyler Shield Design.

Unfortinualty, there are a billion steps that need to be completed to becoming a dealer, starting with establishing a business, then having to design and order displays for your showroom, then becoming an official dealer, and so on. A month after business establishment I am still completing the steps to getting my business to where it needs to be, I won’t bore you with all the other things I have to go through.

I am so unbelievably fortunate to have my Dad. He knows how to run and operate a business, and best of all he is interested in the same line of work that I am. Both our businesses work hand and hand with each other in the best way possible.

This first month in business I have been very very busy, I have taken on all of SGA’s new builds that are in progress of being built soon which is around ten and have designed and given a quote for each project. I don’t only design the kitchen but the bathrooms, laundry rooms and whatever else may need cabinetry. Not only did I have those projects to keep organized from a cabinet standpoint, but I am also in charge of all the materials and finishes selections for these homes too; meeting with clients, setting up appointments, and trying to keep them all separated in my mind.

With this new business, I have also gotten a few independent projects that I will be taking on by myself. And, these projects are all over the board. A whole house re-paint, full-set construction plans for a large shed, and a few new and remodel kitchens. I love that I am able to place my input in many different areas of design and not just kitchens, from what I started Skyler Shield Design with to get it off the ground and running.

Just this past week my first cabinet order with my displays was delivered. This was very exciting for me not only because my first order had arrived but my displays came in, which means I am an official cabinet dealer through Bertch! With the displays comes a showroom also, lets just say I am really excited to get that up and organized for my clients to come to.

Lets get back to my first order coming in. It wasn’t a full kitchen, but a couple vanities for an addition on a residence. I am honestly happy that my first order wasn’t a large kitchen, that way I was able to start out with something small that was easy to understand. I am very thankful for my rep and his colleagues who have answered all of my hundreds of questions that has helped me feel comfortable enough to order full kitchens here soon!

Stay tuned for some of my up coming projects that are close to completion, and if you or someone you know is looking to remodel their current kitchen or have another project they want a second pair of eyes on please keep me in mind for your recommendations.

Thank you!

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