Rising Stars: Meet Amy Howard of Overland Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Howard.

Hi Amy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never could’ve imagined that I’d become an interior designer and business owner. I grew up in a normal middle-class family in Indiana and naturally envisioned my future career as a typical 9-5 in a traditional industry. I completed my accounting and management undergrad and started off on that path. When my now-husband’s job relocated us to Kansas City, I created a beautiful home to start our new life together. That was when I truly discovered my passion for interior design. I returned to school and spent the next 3 years as a design consultant for Restoration Hardware. In 2019 our son was born, and I paused my career to be a stay-at-home mom. It was a gift of precious time, but I also felt like a part of me was missing. So, AH Serenity Interiors was established in the spring of 2021. Starting my own design business has allowed me to pursue my passion with the flexibility my family needs.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been fascinating and fulfilling, but it’s been far from smooth. The first big challenge I encountered was identifying what each client truly wanted. It sounds so simple, but the design is extremely subjective; descriptions like “modern,” “practical,” and “expensive” mean completely different things to different people. Every aspect of a project is based on a client’s unique needs and preferences, so it is essential to get on (and stay on) the same page. Honest communication and over-communication are everything; a relationship has to form. Luckily, I’ve always been good with people; clients seem comfortable and open up quickly. I’ve learned different ways to ask the “right questions” to get the information I need to create the best, most personalized design for them. Accurately assessing each project’s scope was another big learning curve for me. One of my goals for the business is to provide design assistance at an affordable rate, and I try to give a set or ballpark price at the beginning so my services can be worked into their budget. I know the astounding details and considerations involved in a design, mainly if it includes a renovation. Still, I underestimated the time I was committing to a fixed price for months. If I broke it down, I made about $4/hour on several jobs. I’m still dedicated to providing exceptional value to my clients, but I had to adjust my billing structure to stay in business. “Nothing worth having comes easy” is a phrase I remind myself of often. And another hard reality was that this venture didn’t just take a toll on me. My family has made drastic adjustments to our schedule and routines to support me in building this dream. The feelings of guilt and gratitude are often overwhelming, but I think the trials are what have made the success feel even more rewarding.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
AH Serenity Interiors provides design assistance for projects in every size, stage, and budget. I specialize in a modern farmhouse, rustic, and coastal design. Available services include renovation & remodel of the design, 3D rendering, spatial planning, and single-room to full home furnishing. Offering a variety of a la carte services ensures the right type and amount of involvement for each unique job. I encourage clients to be as hands-on as they want throughout the design process; the result is as personal as beautiful. I am incredibly proud that, to date, nearly 90% of my clients have been through a referral. For my client to be so pleased with their experience that they send their friends and family is the greatest compliment I could ever receive. The immense energy and effort I devote to my projects show me how much my client’s value and appreciate it. What sets me apart is the additional skillset of my business background. Detailed planning and organization are essential in managing project costs and timelines. I am adamant about respecting and maximizing a project budget. I use itemized spreadsheets for cost allocations and expense tracking to do it. My prior management experience has also been extremely useful for project and order management, delivery coordination, and other logistical situations. Large projects can become pretty stressful, especially if they include construction, and I love that I can exceed the scope of my role to alleviate some of the challenges for my clients.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Initially, I anticipated that most of my projects would be decorating/ redecorating with minor cosmetic improvements like paint and flooring. It turns out I haven’t had a workday in months that didn’t include at least one phone call with a contractor. Remodels are notorious for being an emotional roller coaster, with a lot of stress, surprises (usually not good), and dollar signs. Still, there’s something about being able to calm the chaos that I genuinely enjoy. And surprisingly, I love it. I’ve learned a lot about the construction side of a project, and the contractors have been appreciative partners. A common misconception is that a contractor’s expertise on How something is built also includes What to build it with. But their design expertise is about as extensive as my construction knowledge, and several have said their least favorite part of a job is trying to pick out these materials. Working together has been such a beneficial partnership, I can see my future business including contractors as much as homeowners.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ahserenityinteriors.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahserenityinteriors
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AHSerenityInteriors