Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Thowe.
Hi Erica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in a small-town farmhouse where my parents were always fixing up our home, and even as a child I felt the joy of creating spaces that felt refreshed and welcoming. By the time I was six, I was already rearranging my own room and even organizing friends’ rooms. In eighth grade, I learned interior design was actually a career, and I knew instantly that’s what I wanted to do.
I went on to study interior design at Johnson County Community College, while also playing basketball on scholarship. After graduating in 2008, I gained experience in furniture sales and then at a kitchen and bath firm. Then in 2011, at 24 years old, I took a leap and started my own business—initially advertising on Craigslist and taking on any project I could. My first big job was a new build in Parkville, and from there the business steadily grew.
For over a decade, I built my company on the values I was raised with—kindness, authenticity, and a genuine care for people. Three years ago, my husband Chris joined me full-time, transforming what I started into a true family-owned business. I now focus on design and client relationships, while he runs the business side. It’s not always easy balancing marriage, family, and work, but together we’ve built something we’re incredibly proud of.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
You can’t grow if you don’t have a bumpy road, and I’ve definitely had mine. I’m a firm believer that mistakes are some of our best teachers—and I’ve had plenty to learn from.
For me, I’ve always been very focused on the present moment, so creating those five- or ten-year business goals didn’t come naturally. That meant I had to learn to slow down, step back, and think more like a CEO instead of just reacting to whatever needed me that day.
In my first ten years of business, a lot slipped through the cracks. I wasn’t charging for certain things, and if something went wrong on a job site—even if it wasn’t technically my responsibility—I would step in and pay to fix it, just to keep the client happy. Great customer service, sure, but it doesn’t keep the business healthy when you’re constantly covering others’ mistakes.
When Chris joined the business, he started tracking everything. That gave us clarity—we could finally see the gaps, and then build processes and structure around them. It was eye-opening. I realized you can’t do everything yourself, and when your role is stretched too thin, nothing can be done really well.
It took me ten years to figure that out, and honestly, I’m still amazed I stayed afloat for so long without those systems. But today, with Chris’s confidence and conviction on the business side and my focus on design and relationships, we’re stronger than ever. We’re proud to be a small, family-owned business that not only creates beautiful spaces, but also delivers an incredible experience for our clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in kitchens, and I really thrive in laying out cabinetry and tackling the unique challenges each client faces in such a highly functional part of their home. I’m known for creating kitchens that not only look beautiful but work seamlessly for the way people live. What sets me apart is my attention to detail and my ability to balance function with style, making sure each space is tailored to the client’s needs. I’m most proud of helping people fall in love with a part of their home that truly impacts their daily life, and seeing the joy it brings them.
What I’m most proud of is building my business from the ground up, starting with small projects on Craigslist to now running a full-service, family-owned design firm with my husband. What sets me apart is the combination of creativity, authenticity, and empathy—I genuinely care about my clients’ experience and the joy they feel in their spaces. My goal isn’t just to design rooms, it’s to design a home that makes people excited to live in it every day.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as building something that lasts—both the spaces I design and the business my husband and I are creating together. If our kids see the value of hard work, creativity, and kindness through what we’re building, that’s the greatest success of all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericakaydesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericakaydesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericakayinteriordesign
