Meet Kelly Collier of Plot Twist Design
I’ve always had a passion for interior design and decorating. After helping friends and family with their interior decor goals for years, my passion evolved into an official business in February 2019. From the beginning I had client projects lined up, as well as home projects that kept me busy all year.
During the first year I was very intentional about educating myself to become more knowledgeable about the industry. I obtained a professional certificate in Interior Design from Temple University, attended a six month Interior Design Coaching program, and attended a few workshops. I was also blessed by a few amazing Designers I connected with who shared a plethora of their industry knowledge with me. I am big on paying it forward and reaching back to help/ mentor others, so it has been a blessing to be on the receiving end!
Going into my second year in business I’ve added two additional layers to my company; real estate services and a blog. Both were launched in December 2019, and this first quarter of 2020 has been super busy, but amazing.
Being a solo entrepreneur has proven to have its challenges. The biggest adjustment for me was balancing my social life, as well as my full time career aka my day job.
Friends and family noticed a shift, and thankfully they’ve understood the demands that quickly limited my attending certain events or talking as much. Leisure time is little to none most weeks. It’s been well worth the sacrifices, because I’m honoring my passions in design and real estate doing what I love; beyond making earning income for myself. When you’re doing something you love it really never feels like work!
As mentioned my company offers Interior Design and Real Estate services. I’ve designed spaces for clients that I now have been helping with buying and selling houses. The goal has always been to marry my two passions together, and it’s proven to be successful. Adding the blog was important for me to have a platform to share information and open dialogue on topics focused on interiors, real estate, and lifestyle. Loving to write it’s also extremely therapeutic.
I am most proud about the leap of faith taken to start this business. Then the leap to add the second entity, Plot Twist Home. While my Real Estate license is under the brokerage of Keller Williams, it is my the Plot Twist Home entity that I promote this service. Besides sales I plan to offer counseling to clients to prepare them for homeownership, staging services for sellers, as well as retail. I am also a licensed retailer.
How do I personally define success?
To start, for me success is not defined by income. When I was younger all I thought about at one point was how I wanted to earn six figures by a certain age. Thankfully that goal was accomplished, however I still felt a need for more personal fulfillment. Around turning 40 came an Ah Ha moment and a flood of wisdom. The Ah Ha revelation was money does not equal success! Money however can be a vehicle to gain success. I then realized a new goal, to increase personal fulfillment. I knew this meant something outside of my career.
Fast forward a couple years and ideas began brewing. My Real Estate license was in escrow (aka inactive), and I was taking college courses online. While that was a goal being worked towards it was no personal fulfillment. Finally it was put in my spirit to go for it. Success has come with forging into becoming the CEO of me! Making the decision to start this business is one of the best decisions I’ve made. The success has been defined in this by executing my own business plan, executing every project I’ve taken on successfully, and knowing that what I’m doing is impacting the lives of others in the process.
