Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayn Riggs.
Hi Ayn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Italian Plasterworks is the culmination of my passions, those being people, sustainability, design, architecture, and history. I had a previous career in network security, but I found it boring and soulless. So, I followed my passion and went from high-tech to low-tech. I turned on a dime. I did this in 2006.
The natural materials we work with go back 10,000 years. I’ve found nothing that competes with the beauty of lime plasters. They are good for the environment of the space and the way light reflects and refracts is softer than paint. Mostly though, I love being a part of a project, whether it is just us or whether we are part of a new home or large remodel. That is where my passion for people comes in.
When somebody is in love with their space, that energy enhances themselves in a positive manner and is emitted to those around them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A smooth road, no. I started the business right before the economy crashed in 2008. At that time my business was based in San Diego where everything fell. My sales pipeline went to 20% of what it was but this didn’t happen immediately.
Some projects in 2008 were still a go as they were already funded, meaning 2009 and 2010 is where I really felt the pain. Before the crash, San Diego County was keeping me very busy but to keep afloat I expanded my marketing to Orange County and Los Angeles County. I was a stressed-out single mother of two teenagers, spending most of my time sitting in traffic on a freeway, the 405, the 101, the 5, take your pick. My favorite clients, homeowners were gone.
My business squeaked by working for billionaires and commercial work. The endless time sitting on a freeway is one of the main reasons I moved to Kansas City.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Italian Plasterworks specializes in decorative natural hand-troweled plasters. It’s a definite niche in the realm of decorative arts. As all of the decorative arts have a historical story to them, lime plaster or Venetian plasters is to me set an apart in the sense that it is very ancient and every culture around the world figured plaster out on their own.
I love that I make a living doing something that is 10,000 years old. I am most proud of the interesting and lovely people I’ve been fortunate enough to meet along the way. I have clients that have become great friends and colleagues that spread the globe. What sets us apart is that we are basically one-trick ponies. We don’t paint or refinish cabinets and possibly do some plastering, we just plaster.
That leaves us with expertise that allows our clients confidence that they are getting an exquisite job and a fair price.
How do you think about happiness?
Helping people fall in love with their space makes me happy. Their happiness spreads to their family and friends. We saw during COVID-19 how we were stuck in our homes for longer than we could imagine. My attitude is don’t wait for your dream home, make your home your dream home now.
Pricing:
- Fireplaces average around $2000
- Range hoods average around $1200
- Walls start at $9 per square foot with an average of $14.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.italianplasterworks.com
- Instagram: italianplasterworks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Italian-Plasterworks-138980208760
